|  | Public Health Safety | Outdoor Safety

Types of Chemical Reactions in Swimming Pools

People use chlorine, disinfectants, alkalinity, pH adjusters, chlorine stabilizer, algaecide and filter aids to keep their pools clean and healthy. All those chemicals can react with each other and with people in the water. Sometimes the result is just a smell or a change in the water's appearance, but it can also affect the bodies of swimmers.

  1. Allergic Reactions

    • Researchers at Purdue University found that respiratory reactions can occur when sweat and urine are mixed with high levels of chlorine. Swimmers can contaminate the pool with sweat, cosmetic products, sun tan lotion, fecal matter and urine. When people are swimming in a public pool or their own pool, they think they smell the chlorine in the water, but what they really smell is chloramines, which are a mixture of these byproducts. The byproducts settle into the chlorine and pH levels, which cause the assumed “chlorine smell.” High concentrations of chlorine mixed with chloramines in the water can cause problems to your eyes, skin and respiratory system. Showering before you swim and not swimming with an intestinal disorder can reduce contamination in swimming pools.

    Green Hair

    • Some swimmers may get green hair after being in a pool from either the metals (i.e. copper) in the water that help control the algae (algaecides) or the metals from pool plumbing and fixtures, according to the Healthy Pools website. The metals in the pool adhere to the proteins of the hair shaft, which causes the green color. This color is more apparent on blonds, especially those who bleach their hair often. It is difficult to notice tints of green on someone with black hair. Wear a swimming cap to prevent green hair from appearing after you swim. If you do not feel comfortable wearing a swimming cap, thoroughly rinse your hair after you swim and follow with a gentle shampoo.

    Water-Borne Illnesses

    • The pH levels can cause a chemical reaction with the chlorine levels. PH is a hydrogen ion concentration, which measures the acidity or basicity of a swimming pool. The scale for measuring pH ranges from 0 (strong acidity) to 14 (strong base) with 7 as the neutral levels of pH. You want a swimming pool to have slight alkaline levels of 7.4 to 7.8 so it will not harm the eyes and will not corrode with chlorine. The Healthy Pools website says that chlorine levels should be between 1.0 and 4.0 parts per million. You can tell if a pH is too low if dissolved metals leave stains on the walls of the swimming pool, your eyes become irritated, the water is acidic, or if metal fixtures corrode. Discoloration of pool walls, cloudy water, eye irritation, and an overworked filter are the causes of ph levels that are too high. A low pH causes chlorine levels to quickly dissipate, while high pH levels can cause the chlorine activity to slow down and become inefficient. An improper chlorine level makes the water less effective in fighting off germs and debris and puts those at risk for allergic reactions. Test strips–found at swimming pool supplies stores and patio and garden stores–can help you test for both chlorine and pH levels.

Outdoor Safety - Related Articles