These emissions, which are generally unpleasant, can also irritate swimmers’ throats, noses and eyes. We explain why this happens and, above all, how to prevent this uncomfortable phenomenon.
Why does your swimming pool smell of chlorine?
It is often mistakenly believed that a strong smell of chlorine is the result of an excess or overdose of disinfectant.
However, it is an insufficient dose of chlorine that promotes the formation of chloramines, which result from the oxidation of organic matter—generally originating from bathers (hair, dead skin, saliva, urine, sweat, etc.).
Chloramines not only smell bad (similar to chlorine smell), but are also very irritating to the eyes and throat.
What should you do if your swimming pool smells of chlorine?
First, open the cover, if your pool has one, to allow it to air out.
- Check the pH and readjust if necessary with HTH pH PLUS to increase it or HTH pH MINUS to lower the pH
- Shock treat the water with HTH SHOCK powder at a rate of 150 g per 10 m³ of water
It is then recommended to wait 48 hours before swimming.
with handle and dosing cap
with handle and dosing cap
In a nutshell:
If your pool water has a strong chlorine smell, it is probably because the chlorine level is too low.
Organic matter is not completely oxidised when there is an insufficient amount of chlorine in the water.
Regularly monitor the chlorine level in your pool and adjust it to between1.5 and 3.0 mg per litre.
Chloramines are formed by the reaction of chlorine (in the form of hypochlorous acid, HOCl) with ammonia (NH₃).
They are far more harmful to health than free (active) chlorine.
DO NOT MIX CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE WITH ANY OTHER TREATMENT PRODUCT.
NEVER DISSOLVE BEFORE USE.
USE BIOCIDAL PRODUCTS WITH CARE.
BEFORE ANY USE, READ THE LABEL AND THE PRODUCT INFORMATION CAREFULLY.
