Who is Dungeness Environmental?
What is chitosan (kyte-O-san)?
How did chitosan get its name?
What is ChitoVan™ (kyte-O-van)?
Who makes ChitoVan products?
Is anything added to chitosan during the manufacturing process?
Is ChitoVan safe for fish?
Is ChitoVan safe to work with?
Is ChitoVan a new product without a scientific track record?
How does ChitoVan work?
Where can I get ChitoVan products?
Is ChitoVan approved for use in water treatment?
Which ChitoVan product is best for my project?
How much ChitoVan will I need for my project?
How does ChitoVan work?
Why can’t I use traditional chemical treatment agents?
What is Clear Trax Technology?
How much Clear Trax 450 will I need for my wash?
How do I get the Clear Trax System installed on my truck or tire wash?
How do I register for a class?
Where can I purchase a treatment system?

Who is Dungeness Environmental Solutions, Inc.?

Dungeness Environmental Solutions, located in Everett, WA, was formed as a division of Dungeness Development Associates, Inc., in early 2009, by chemists and erosion and sediment control professionals who are pioneers in stormwater treatment. 

Dungeness is committed to providing high quality natural water purification polymers and innovating practical new environmental technologies, as well as, educating the community and developing long lasting partnerships with those who share our philosophy.

What is chitosan (kyte-O-san)?

Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide that is extracted from crab and shrimp shells left over from seafood processing. The parent biopolymer of chitosan is the second most abundant polymer on earth, next to cellulose, and is known as chitin. Chitosan is a naturally occurring product of the chitin degradation process. Chitin is quite ubiquitous, and is found in sources such as: the cell walls of fungi, insect exoskeletons, and certain shellfish. ChitoVan Chitosan products are made from recycled shrimp and crab shells. 

How did chitosan get its name?

Crab and shrimp shells contain a natural polymer called chitin. The word "chitin" is derived from the French word "chitine". Chitine comes from the Greek word "chitōn", meaning mollusk. Chitosan occurs naturally in the environment and is also manufactured from chitin. The name chitosan is derived from the word chitin.

What is ChitoVan (kyte-O-van)?

ChitoVan was introduced in 2006 and is the brand name of chitosan products offered by Dungeness Environmental. ChitoVan chitosan is a high industrial grade natural polymer suitable for water clarification, metals adsorption, oil and grease emulsification, seed coatings, food waste binding, etc.

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Who makes ChitoVan products?

ChitoVan products are made by Dungeness Environmental – a division of Dungeness Development Associates, Inc.

Is anything added to chitosan in the manufacturing process?

Yes.  A small amount of acetic acid (vinegar acid) is added when producing ChitoVan 1% and 1.5% liquid solution.  The vinegar causes the chitosan to be water soluble.  Lactic acid (milk acid) is added for the same reason when producing the ChitoVan Chitosan Lactate dry flake product.

Is ChitoVan safe for fish?

Yes.  The only concern regarding fish toxicity and chitosan is the cationic nature of chitosan. Cationic polymers have the potential to attach to fish gills. However, when used as directed in water treatment there is no possibility for fish toxicity. ChitoVan products have undergone significant toxicity testing which has shown that at the recommended dosages there is no harm to aquatic organisms. Dungeness has developed an easy to use chitosan residual test, that has been validated by a third party lab, to determine the presence/absence of low levels of chitosan for both ChitoVan Chitosan Acetate and Lactate.

Also, since chitosan is a natural carbohydrate it readily breaks down into harmless components and does not persist in the environment.

Is ChitoVan safe to work with?

Yes. Treatment technicians will appreciate ChitoVan products as they do not cause chemical burns and they are nontoxic. ChitoVan can be easily rinsed off of the skin and clothing.

Is ChitoVan a new product without a scientific track record?

No.  ChitoVan was introduced in 2006 and has been used to treat water on numerous projects throughout the world. ChitoVan has undergone significant testing for quality assurance, toxicity and pollutant removal ability.

Chitosan, in general has been used for over 30 years to treat drinking water, swimming pools, spas and aquariums. It is also used in cosmetics, as a disinfectant, in wound healing, in textiles and as a dietary supplement among others.

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How does ChitoVan work?

ChitoVan products are powerful cationic coagulants/flocculants that have the ability to bind contaminant particles together making them large enough to be filtered or gravity settled.  ChitoVan removes heavy metals and it also has a strong affinity for oils and grease.

Where can I get ChitoVan products?

ChitoVan products are available directly through Dungeness Environmental and through our national and Canadian distributors. Vist our products page to locate a distributor near you.

Is ChitoVan approved for use in water treatment?

Yes. Construction site CESF water treatment with 1 % ChitoVan Acetate has been approved for general use by the Washington State Department of Ecology. It is approved for batch and infiltration as well as for flow-through directly or indirectly to all surface waters. ChitoVan products have been approved for use on many projects by regulatory agencies across the nation.

Which ChitoVan product is best for my project?

There are many site specific details to be considered when choosing the correct treatment technology for a particular project. Typically the most important factors include the water treatment budget, system efficiency needs and regulatory requirements. Those new to water treatment should consult with Dungeness Environmental to determine the treatment technology best for a particular site.

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How much ChitoVan will I need for my project?

This will be dependant on the volume of water and the concentration of chitosan required to provided adequate treatment. Perform a treatability test to determine the estimated chitosan concentration and refer to the table below for guidance. Contact Dungeness Environmental for more details.

Why can’t I use traditional chemical treatment agents?

Other treatment polymers are not approved for stormwater treatment on construction sites in the state of Washington. Chlorine, polyacrylamides, aluminum and iron salts have been the standard in industrial applications but they are too harsh when you discharge direct to surface water.  ChitoVan products are ideal when used on projects that discharge directly to the environment because they are completely biodegradable and do not persist.

What is Clear Trax™ Technology?

Clear Trax technology is a powerful water clarification system designed particularly for capturing extremely high sediment loads in truck and tire washes. The Clear Trax system consists of our patent pending Clear Trax 450 ChitoVan based formula and dry feeder metering and mixing device. The feeder is a self-contained unit that can be easily added to any wash.

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How much Clear Trax 450 will I need for my wash?

In our experience with construction site wheel washes, one 12-lb pail of Clear Trax 450 is typically enough to treat recycle wash water for 100 trucks per day over a two week period.

How do I get the Clear Trax System installed on my truck or tire wash?

Whether you are a wash manufacturer or an owner, Dungeness would like to work with you to have your wash fitted with the dry feeder metering device. Dungeness also offers a free trial use of the Clear Trax feeder with the purchase of one pail of Clear Trax 450.

How do I register for a class?

Dungeness offers water treatment certification and stormwater regulatory courses that are scheduled at the convenience of our attendees. Contact Dungeness to register.

Where can I purchase a treatment system?

Dungeness offers passive treatment kits and equipment. Dungeness is also partners with the industry leaders in water treatment equipment and services. We can provide you with a quote directly or offer you a quote though one of our equipment providers.

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