​​​​​​​How to use H2Blue to measure dissolved H2:

Note: Always protect skin (gloves), eyes (safety glasses), clothing (lab coat or apron) & surrounding surfaces to protect against staining from splashing or accidental spillage! Never attempt to clear a clogged tip by squeezing the bottle hard, inserting a pin into the tip, or removing the spout. Instead,  Contact Us to arrange for a replacement bottle.

​

H2Blue is a blue reagent that reacts with water containing dissolved hydrogen gas and turns "clear" when the dissolved H2 concentration is at least 0.1mg/L (ppm).H2Blue can be used to measure dissolved hydrogen levels by performing what chemists call a "titration". During a titration, a substance of known concentration (theH2Blue reagent) is added to a precisely-measured volume of water (6mL) containing an unknown level of dissolved hydrogen gas (H2). In the presence of dissolved hydrogen gas, the H2Blue molecules react with the dissolved H2 molecules, causing the blue molecules to turn "clear". As additional drops are added, the dissolved H2 molecules continue to be "consumed" until they are totally depleted. This is called the "titration endpoint". When the endpoint has been reached, additional drops will no longer turn clear, and the solution will remain blue. By counting the number of drops of H2Blue required to reach the titration endpoint, and then multiplying the number of drops by 0.1(or dividing by 10), the level of dissolved H2 gas in mg/L (ppm, parts per million) can be determined. For example, 8 drops x 0.1 = 0.8 mg/L of dissolved H2​ (see PPM Page for an explanation of parts per million).

 ​​​Demonstrating the presence of dissolved H2:   

In addition to measuring dissolved H2 levels, H2Blue may also be used as a tool to simply "demonstrate the presence" of dissolved hydrogen gas. When used in this way, the user can collect a sample of the water to be tested (e.g an inch or two in a water glass, the amount is not critical), and then add a few drops of H2Blue. The drops will immediately turn clear, demonstrating the presence of dissolved hydrogen gas (H2). Likewise, the same can be done using a sample of any other water to show that it DOES NOT contain dissolved H2. For example, when H2Blue is added to so-called bottled "antioxidant" waters, the drops will not turn clear if the water does not contain dissolved hydrogen gas (plastic and glass bottles cannot hold dissolved hydrogen gas for very long).

 ​​​Traveling with H2Blue:  

When traveling with H2Blue (especially when flying), we recommend the following:

  *  be sure that the dispenser bottle cap is screwed on securely

  *  place the bottle in its original graduated beaker and securely tighten the beaker's cap

  *  place the beaker with bottle into a sealable zip-type bag and seal the bag securely

These precautions will help to ensure that, in case of leakage due to changes in pressure or excessive vibration, H2Blue will not escape and stain the surrounding areas.  Please note that the H2Blueeco formula is not a hazmat product.

 ​​Recommended pH range:   

The H2Blue reagent has been tested for accuracy in the pH range of 4 to 10. For best results, the recommended pH of the water being tested should be in the range of 6-9.5 pH. Although H2Blue will still detect dissolved H2 outside of this range, results may be slightly skewed or reaction times may be slower. 

​​​​​​​​Helpful hints for measuring:

​

* When measuring H2 water from water ionizers or hydrogen infusion machines, be sure to run the device for at least 20 seconds before taking the 6ml sample. This will insure that you are sampling fresh H2 water, not water which has been sitting in the machine.

* The H2Blue spout is designed to dispense a precise droplet size for testing dissolved H2 levels.  When dispensing each drop, turn the bottle completely upside down, gently squeeze the bottle until one drop exits the spout, then release the pressure (which creates a small vacuum). Repeat this technique for each drop. Dispensing H2Blue in this way will help to prevent excess reagent from running down the spout.

* After completing each measurement, be sure to completely rinse the graduated beaker and stir wand to remove all H2Blue residue. If H2Blue residue is permitted to accumulate on the inside of the graduated beaker or stirring wand, this may result in inaccurate H2 readings.

* Because dissolved hydrogen gas starts to escape immediately after the 6mL sample is taken, try to perform measurements as quickly as possible. Multiple drops of H2Blue can be added at once without stirring to save time, but do not add too many, which may cause you to pass the titration endpoint (see picture below).

This technique is easier to implement once you know approximately what your dissolved hydrogen levels are. Best results will be obtained when a measurement takes 1 minute or less.

Note:  You can tell when the endpoint is approaching by watching how quickly the blue color vanishes with each drop. As you approach the endpoint, the color change will "slow down".

* Be sure to use only the beaker supplied with H2Blue (production batches are calibrated using this beaker), and fill the beaker until the bottom of the water's meniscus is at the top of the 6mL graduation mark (see diagram on right).

​

* Fill the graduated beaker directly from the device without using any type of intermediate container (such as a drinking glass or pitcher), and tilt the beaker slightly while filling to minimize any splashing, which could inadvertently force some of the dissolved gas out of the water.

* Both the water and the H2Blue reagent should be as close to room temperature (25C/77F) as possible.

​​

* Because dissolved H2 gas is volatile and escapes easily from water, avoid shaking or otherwise agitating the beaker when adding drops, which can significantly reduce the dissolved H2. It is better to "swirl" the sample or use a small straw (provided with each bottle) to gently stir the reagent into the test sample.

* When approaching the titration endpoint, be sure to count the last drop that causes the 6mL test sample to remain pale blue.​​​​

What if my H2 readings are lower than expected?

H2Blue will react with dissolved hydrogen gas and turn clear, provided that the dissolved H2 concentration is at least equal to the lower detection level of 0.1mg/L.  If your device is not producing detectable dissolved H2 levels, check for the following:

* Review tips for getting best results in "Helpful hints for measuring" above (remember that for consistent results, hold bottle completely vertical (90-degree angle) when testing.

* Limescale (from hard water) may have accumulated on the electrodes or plumbing (can occur within weeks, depending on water hardness).

1)  Follow manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your machine, or send it to the factory for "deep cleaning".

2)  If your machine has both upper and lower hoses (ionizer), and the capability of reversing the polarity, you may be able to produce hydrogen water from the lower hose, using the opposite electrodes normally reserved for making the acid water. These electrodes may produce higher dissolved H2 levels as they are normally exposed to water with an acid pH and therefore less likely to have any limescale accumulation.  Contact Us for more information about performing this test.

* Source water mineral concentrations may be too low for adequate H2 production (alkaline ionizer devices) - measure TDS and, if necessary, add a mineral pre-filter cartridge to boost source-water conductivity.

*If you live at an elevation significantly higher than sea level, your device will produce lower hydrogen levels than it would at sea level. The dissolved hydrogen concentration will decrease by approximately 10% for every 1000-meter increase in elevation.

* The device may be malfunctioning and not producing any H2 gas- contact the manufacturer for troubleshooting procedures

* Because H2Blue is a "non-selective" oxidizer, the presence of other oxidizing or reducing agents, such as chlorine, copper sulfate/copper metal, chloramines, antioxidants (such as vitamin C), or some forms of glucose (sugars), may interfere with the ability of H2Blue to give accurate readings. Try to use the purest water (e.g. distilled) when measuring hydrogen water. Contact Us for more information.​

* Since H2Blue's resolution is 0.1mg/L per drop, failure for even one drop to turn clear does not necessarily indicate that there is no dissolved H2  in the water for a couple of reasons:
1)  The water being tested could possibly have a concentration of only  0.1mg/L, which would cause only one drop to remain blue. This is because we always count the last drop in the titration which causes the reagent to remain blue (in this case, the first drop would also be the last drop). But, water with no dissolved H2 would also cause one drop to remain blue. Therefore, some ambiguity in the reading is possible when testing levels of dissolved H2 at or near the concentration of 0.1mg/L. Ideally, at least one drop should turn clear to verify the presence of some dissolved H2.​
2)  A concentration of less than 0.1ppm could be present, e.g. 0.05mg/L, which is undetectable, since it is below the minimum detection threshold of H2Blue. To check for this possibility, fill the test beaker with H2 water to approximately the 12mL graduation mark (instead of 6mL), and test again. If a single drop turns clear, but 2 drops remain blue, then your dissolved H2 level is approximately 0.05mg/L, below H2Blue's normal detection threshold. Follow the guidelines in this section to improve your dissolved H2 levels.

* Be sure to use H2Blue within a normal room temperature range of 72-77F (22-25C). As the temperature of the test water and/or the reagent drops, readings will have a tendency to be slightly lower.

* Keep in mind that H2 gas is not highly soluble in water. Therefore, even if your device produces large quantities of visible H2 gas bubbles and/or "foggy water", this does not necessarily mean that the level of dissolved H2 gas will be high. In response to this, next-generation hydrogen infusion machines typically include specialized components called "dissolvers" designed to help the otherwise "wasted" H2 gas dissolve into the drinking water.

* When measuring reactive products such as tablets or powders, H2Blue may read low (due to its disturbance of the quasi-dissolved "foggy" gas) or high (by participating in, accelerating, or aiding the hydrogen evolution reaction). See this page for more information on using H2Blue to measure tablet water.

* The water being tested as well as the H2Blue reagent should be as close to room temperature as possible (25C/77F). A temperature rise to 33C/91F will lower the measurement by 0.1 mg/L.

*  When measuring H2 water produced by  bubbling OxyHydro gas (Brown's Gas), H2Blue may read lower than expected for two reasons:

​1)H2Blue is formulated to measure hydrogen water containing approximately 18% oxygen. Because OxyHydro devices produce a higher O2 concentration (33%), the extra dissolved oxygen in the sample water may cause H2Blue to read lower in this type of hydrogen water. To compensate for this, you can multiply your H2Blue measurements by 1.6.

​2) OxyHydro devices do not produce pure H2 gas (100%), but a reduced percentage of H2 gas (67%). Therefore, the dissolved H2 saturation level, the maximum that can be obtained in an unpressurized container, will be approximately 30% lower than a device that bubbles pure H2 gas into water (1.1 ppm vs 1.6 ppm).  Contact Us for more information.​​

​​Insuring peak performance of hydrogen water devices:

When hydrogen water devices are new, they may produce good levels of dissolved hydrogen gas. But, as calcium contained in the source water begins to accumulate on the electrodes, plumbing and other components, the dissolved hydrogen levels can begin to drop, sometimes in as little as a few weeks. Also, certain types of hydrogen water devices (e.g. alkaline water ionizers) require a minimum amount of minerals to produce measurable dissolved hydrogen levels. By using H2Blue to measure dissolved H2 levels, you can be sure that your source water has adequate minerals, and that your device is performing at peak levels. In addition to electric devices, H2Blue can also be used to insure the performance level of other H2 technologies, including hydrogen tablets, magnesium sticks, H2 reactor cartridges, and hydrogen-water filters, whose performance may degrade over time from oxidation due to exposure to air and moisture.