I'm going to link to sources including NSF, EPA and scientific papers, but these are links on the Internet so I don't know if this will be sufficient for you.
There are only two NSF Certified Standard 50 Copper/Silver Ion Generator manufacturers as listed
here and you will notice that ALL of these products require chlorine, a minimum of 0.4 ppm. This is because any swimming pool chemical or system designated as a "disinfectant" or "sanitizer" must pass
EPA DIS/TSS-12 and metal ions alone are unable to pass this test because they kill bacteria and other pathogens too slowly.
Most bacteria are killed with a 2-log reduction (i.e. 99% killed) by chlorine in pools with typical Free Chlorine (FC) and Cyanuric Acid (CYA) levels in under 1 minute, but it takes copper ions 40 minutes for the same level of kill. Viruses are killed much more slowly by metal ions.
This scientific paper shows that it takes copper concentrations of 10-1000 mg/L for 90% inactivation of viruses in 30 minutes, but these concentrations are far higher than found in pools as anything approaching 1 mg/L risks serious metal staining so most pools using metal ions have concentrations below 0.7 ppm and some are below 0.3 ppm.
This scientific paper shows that copper ions do a 90% inactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus in 30 minutes at 100-200 ppm, but that is far, far higher in concentration than found in pools (copper is usually < 0.3 ppm in pools). There are many different scientific studies showing virus inactivation by chlorine at normal levels found in drinking water or in pools (for example,
here,
here,
here,
here,
here among many others).
This scientific paper shows that adding copper and silver ions to low chlorine levels isn't any better than chlorine alone, at least for the selected human viruses that were studied.
The PristineBlue website
here says it is EPA registered in every state and is certified to NSF Standard 60 for drinking water, but as shown
here neither Earth Sciences Laboratories (makers of Pristine Blue) or the Pristine Blue product are listed, though their primary chemical of copper sulfate is listed in many other products. Note that copper is an algaecide -- it is not a disinfectant/sanitizer at the level found in pools. The EPA registration can be found by searching the
PAN Database where you will find that a search of Pristine Blue returns nothing while Earth Sciences Laboratories returns products called Earthtec with EPA Registration Number 64962-1 that contain Copper Sulfate (pentahydrate). You can search the EPA pesticide registration database
here with the 64962 company number. This EPA registration number is for copper sulfate as an algaecide, NOT as a disinfectant/sanitizer since it does not pass EPA DIS/TSS-12.
The bottom line is that copper ions as found in Pristine Blue are great for killing algae (with the risk of staining pools, turning blond hair greenish, etc.), but not nearly as fast as chlorine for killing bacteria and viruses. Chlorine can also kill algae so by using chlorine alone you can maintain a trouble free pool.
I agree with guamguy's suggestion. It's very easy to move away from a chlorine pool by simply letting the chlorine drop on its own or you can add a chlorine neutralizer, so why don't you start out with a chlorine pool that you properly manage and then see how your wife reacts to the water. My wife is very sensitive in general, but doesn't have any problem in our pool (shown here).
. Going to pool school convinced me I don't even want to start PB. I have sent for the TF-100 kit but will not recieve it til several days after the pool is filled. I will be able to circulate thru a filter.
