When people smell the water in a commercial pool, they think they’re smelling chlorine and that the water is clean. Actually, the right amount of chlorine that keeps pool water clean doesn’t really have a smell, or the smell is barely noticeable. Here’s what you’re really smelling when you sniff the water in a commercial pool.
It’s All About Chloramines
That pungent smell you notice before you jump into that public pool is largely caused by chloramines. Chloramines are created when chlorine combines with all manner of nasty stuff introduced by human beings and even pests splashing about in the water. This stuff includes body oils, sunscreen, makeup, urine, saliva, and other bodily fluids. These fluids produce ammonia, whose chemical formula is NH3. The ammonia reacts with the chlorine by giving up one, two, or all three of its hydrogen ions. Though replacing one hydrogen ion is fine, giving up two and especially all three of them leads to the memorable smell.
Chloramine Gas
The smell comes from the gases released by the chloramines. These gases hover over or even sit right on the water, as they’re heavier than air. This means when swimmers stick their heads out of the water, the gas easily gets into their respiratory tract, their eyes, and mucous membranes.
In mild cases, eyes turn red, throats get scratchy, and noses run. Swimmers may feel a pressure in their chest. If the chloramine pollution is really bad, you can come down with pneumonia or pulmonary edema, which is when your lungs fill with fluid. This is because the gas corrodes the tissues in your respiratory system. The good news is this kind of damage is rare, as conscientious commercial pool owners shock the pool before their patrons can come down with a life-threatening condition.
Chloramines aren’t necessarily produced when the owner of the commercial pool dumps too much chlorine into the water. The problem is the dearth of free chlorine. Free chlorine is what’s needed to remove bacteria and other bad bugs from the water. It does this by forming hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions. If chlorine is used up, which means it’s already done its job of disinfecting the pool, even an oil tanker’s worth won’t clean the water the way it should.
The public swimming pool is a great place to play, socialize, and cool off. Yet, too often you can smell it before you see it (and some folks do find the smell pleasant). One thing you can do to keep the level of chloramines manageable in your commercial pool is to take a shower before you jump in. Call S&R Pool & Spa for all of your commercial pool needs in Hillsborough, NJ.