Too much chlorine in a pool can cause real harm. Accidental overdosing, mixing chemicals the wrong way or a faulty chlorine feeder are the most common causes.
When you go for a swim, chemical irritation is the last thing you expect. That is why pool owners need to keep a close eye on water quality, or have a pool maintenance service do it for them. If chemicals are mixed incorrectly or overused, swimmers can end up with irritated skin, eyes and lungs, or even chemical burns.
Clear Tec Pools tests and balances pool water in Hoschton and nearby cities to keep it safe.
What Is Chlorine Toxicity?
Chlorine gas is highly toxic and irritates the lungs. It can damage the upper and lower airways, and most cases of chlorine poisoning come from accidents at work or at home, such as mixing pool chemicals.
Pool water needs enough chlorine to kill germs, but not so much that it harms swimmers.
Keep free chlorine between 1 and 3 ppm in pools and between 3 and 5 ppm in hot tubs. Keeping pH in the right range, 7.2 to 7.8, also matters, because it helps chlorine kill germs effectively.
When pH or chlorine is out of range, swimmers often notice mild eye and skin irritation first.
What Happens When There Is Too Much Chlorine in the Water
Chlorine is the most common pool sanitizer. It comes as liquid, tablets or granules and kills bacteria and algae and breaks down organic matter.
It works well, but too much of it, or the chloramines it forms when it reacts with sweat and urine, can irritate and damage skin. Swimming in heavily over-chlorinated water has been linked to rashes and chemical burns.
Over-chlorinated water can cause harm in two ways:
- Direct contact: chlorine is corrosive at high concentrations. Water with far too much chlorine can irritate or burn skin and eyes, which is why regular testing matters.
- Chlorine gas: in indoor pools with poor ventilation, gas from chlorine and chloramines can build up in the air. It can cause rashes, hives and blistering on skin, and it is harmful to breathe in.
Read more: How to Choose a Pool Cleaning Company in Georgia
Effects of Too Much Chlorine
Chlorine Rash
Skin that reacts to chlorine can develop a rash: red, itchy, raw or swollen patches. Some people also cough or sneeze. It is most common after long or repeated exposure.
If someone has trouble breathing, swelling or a severe reaction after exposure, get medical help right away.
For a mild rash that does not clear up after rinsing off and staying out of the pool, see a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Other symptoms of chlorine exposure include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Wheezing and coughing
- Burning in the nose, eyes and throat
- Skin irritation or redness
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Watery eyes
Preventative Measures
If you breathe in chlorine or chloramine fumes, move away from the source into fresh air right away.
Ask swimmers to shower before getting in the pool and to use the restroom, not the pool. Sweat and urine react with chlorine to form chloramines, the cause of most “too much chlorine” complaints.
If chlorine is too high, stop adding chlorine, take the cover off and let sunlight break it down, and keep everyone out until it drops back to 1 to 3 ppm. Regular water testing and balancing and a steady pH keep chloramines down. Low pH also makes chlorine harsher, so see our guide on how to raise your pool pH.
Call the Experts at Clear Tec Pools
If your pool uses an automatic chlorine or acid feeder, it should have an electrical interlock that stops the feeder whenever the pump turns off. That prevents chemicals from building up in the pipes and forming dangerous gas.
A pool service should check the interlock and the equipment that powers your chemical feeder regularly, so it keeps working if the pump stops. We also keep the pump itself in good shape to reduce the chance of a breakdown.
Keep everyone out of the pool while chemicals are being added or adjusted. Regular maintenance may feel unnecessary, but dealing with chlorine exposure is far more costly and stressful.
Contact Clear Tec Pools for regular pool maintenance in Hoschton, Georgia. We can check your chemical feeder and interlock and share tips to keep your water safe.
Need help with your pool in Hoschton or nearby? Call Clear Tec Pools at 678-679-0165 or book online.