The hazards of swimming pool chemicals

Chemicals are essential in keeping your swimming pool clean and safe and will present no hazard to the user if they are stored correctly and directions for use are followed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.   If however chemicals are stored and handled incorrectly then they can burn, release toxic fumes and even be deadly.   

Handling swimming Pool Chemicals

Many of the swimming pool chemicals that are regularly added to your swimming pool are known as corrosives and oxidizers, such as bromine and chlorine.  This means that when these substances come into contact with another material they become highly combustible or flammable.  This can mean coming into contact with any debris such as dirt on the floor.  If you do accidently spill a chemical on the floor, clean it up IMMEDIATELY to prevent combustion.  It is also important that when cleaning up a powder spill that it is not cleaned up with water but best swept up in dry form. 

It is all too common to hear of pool owners receiving chemical burns after handling their pool chemicals, but this is a problem that can be avoided.  Just because nothing happens to you when you are in the water with the chemicals does not mean they are safe to touch undiluted.  Liquid chlorine is almost three times stronger than normal household bleach and only becomes safe when it is diluted with a very large quantity of water.  Corrosive chemicals will not only start to destroy metal works, but will attack and destroy body tissue on direct contact, including damage to the skin, eyes, respiratory and digestive tracts.  Great care must be taken when handling chemicals and safety glasses, gloves and a mask must be worn at all times as even at room temperature these chemicals are spontaneously flammable and release toxic fumes.   

It is very important to note that when adding chemicals to your pool never to mix old and new chemicals even if they are the same.  No chemicals should ever be mixed as this can result in disastrous explosions.  Improper mixing of chemicals can also result in the release of toxic chlorine gas.  Even instruments used for handling one chemical should be thoroughly cleaned before it comes into contact with another.   

All of this does not mean that you cannot personally add chemicals to your own swimming pool, but it does mean that great care should be taken when handling different chemicals.  Please follow all safety guidelines and remember to always wear eye protection, a face mask and gloves to avoid burns or fume inhalation. 

How to safely store swimming pool chemicals

When storing your swimming pool chemicals do so in a place which is not accessible by children and pets.  Make sure that all chemicals are kept in their original containers and that they are well labelled and stored in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.  It is advisable to keep chemicals on separate shelving to further reduce the risk of combustion.  It is important that the room the chemicals are being stored in is properly ventilated as all chemicals emit fumes and if by any chance the seal to one of the containers comes loose, the fumes can cause damage to the eyes, lungs, skin and cause corrosion of metal. 

Storing your chemicals safely will not only ensure safety for you and your family but will also prolong the life of your swimming pool chemicals, making sure they work to their maximum efficiency.   

How to add chemicals to your pool safely

When adding chemicals to your swimming pool, you are doing so to achieve a clean and safe environment for you and your family to enjoy recreationally.  Adding chemicals to your swimming pool is essential in keeping bacteria, pathogens and any dangerous viruses at bay and will enhance your swimming experience.  Your swimming experience may however be at risk if you are not entirely confident in adding chemicals to your pool yourself.  Everyone has experienced sore stinging eyes when in a public pool at some point in their life; many may have even experienced a shortness of breath or itchy skin.  All of these problems can be down to excess chemicals being released into a pool.  Please ensure that before you go about adding chemicals to your swimming pool that you are confident in doing so or seek professional advice prior to releasing everything in together at the same time.

When adding chemicals to your swimming pool, do so individually.  Some chemicals can form deadly gases even when mixed in small quantities and they should always be added about an hour apart.  If the pump is in order and working correctly, then it will do a quick job in distributing the chemicals evenly around the pool.  The amount of chemicals you swimming pool may require depends on the amount of ventilation available, the pH level of the water, the capacity of the pool and the volume of water.  Even when adding chemicals to your swimming pool, wear gloves and protective eyewear to avoid chemical splash.  On no occasion should chemicals be added to your swimming pool when it is in use or when you are having a cigarette break.  It is best to add chemicals to your swimming pool in the evening as usually the pool is not used over night.  

Are there any side effects associated with these chemicals?

If you suspect that your swimming pool is overstocked or you experience any unpleasant side effects then it is advisable to call in a professional to take a look at the chemicals and quantities that are being added to the pool.  Chemicals can cause irritation to the skin, including eczema, burning and itchy eyes and can cause problems with asthma sufferers.   It is not only down to too much of one chemical being added to the water in your swimming pool as to why you may be experiencing these symptoms as some chemicals when mixed with urine produce many different chloramines which can irritate the skin and eyes and have a not so pleasant odour.  By using bromine instead of chlorine, the brominates  formed by the bromine combining with organic matter cause no irritation to the skin and eyes and will not emit a powerful smell like some chloramines.  For asthma and allergy suffers, it is now possible to buy low chlorine or chlorine free products to add to your swimming pool and they may be worth considering if you experience discomfort in a chlorine treated pool.  If you are experiencing burning eyes while taking a swim then it is more likely to be down to the pH level being too high or too low, and has nothing to do with the amount of chlorine in the pool whatsoever.  Just because you are adding the required chemicals to your pool does not mean it ends there.  It is the responsibility of the owner to regularly test the water and check the pH level.  If the pH level is left to either rise or fall below or above the desired level of between 7.2 to 7.6 bacteria can still be present in the water.  Regular water tests every 2-3 days are desirable. 

Adding chemicals to your pool can be problem free if you follow the necessary guidelines and follow safety instructions.  Never smoke when handling chemicals and remember to always wash your hands thoroughly after use.  By adding chemicals to your pool, you are making sure that your family can enjoy the pool without  any sanitary concerns.  If you are unsure about adding chemicals to your swimming pool and would value some advice then why not arrange for one of our consultants to come and  visit your property and discuss the addition of chemicals with you in greater detail and have them show you there and then using your own pool as an example for a cost of only £60.00 per visit.   Please visit our PSP Testimonials page to see how customers feel about our services. Also claim your free “Pool Care Guide” by clicking here.