My question involves the regulations and the short-term health effects of swimming in water that contains too much chlorine. The other night, our pool (indoors) measured as follows:
pH: 6.8 - 7.0
Chlorine: 10 ppm
My understanding is that the pH should be in the 7.2 - 7.8 range, and the chlorine should be in the range of 1 ppm - 3 ppm.
My questions are:
1. Is there a safe upper limit for chlorine in a pool?
2. If the pool tests above that limit, should it be closed?
3. What are the short-term health effects of swimming in water
chlorinated to 10 ppm?
Some brief research on my part so far has only shown that our county has an acceptable mininum level (1 ppm), but no guidelines on a maximum level.
Anthony,
Chlorine's effect on ph will vary depending on the type of chlorine used. The most common chlorine compounds used these days are calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite. These both raise pH and other chemicals must be added to lower the pH levels. Gas chlorine (not commonly used anymore) will lower pH. Two forms of stabilized chlorine will lower pH bet should never be used in an indoor pool.
It is true that high levels of chlorine can be a problem if the water is heavily agitated (big kick sets) or air circulation is particularly pool.
With a pH of below 7 and chlorine levels at 10 I would be really surprised if there was a chloromine problem. That is usually associated with low free chlorine, high pH and heavy organic loads.
Rich
Anthony,
Chlorine's effect on ph will vary depending on the type of chlorine used. The most common chlorine compounds used these days are calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite. These both raise pH and other chemicals must be added to lower the pH levels. Gas chlorine (not commonly used anymore) will lower pH. Two forms of stabilized chlorine will lower pH bet should never be used in an indoor pool.
It is true that high levels of chlorine can be a problem if the water is heavily agitated (big kick sets) or air circulation is particularly pool.
With a pH of below 7 and chlorine levels at 10 I would be really surprised if there was a chloromine problem. That is usually associated with low free chlorine, high pH and heavy organic loads.
Rich
