What causes “chlorine” odor, red eyes and itchy skin?
These unpleasant conditions indicate that the pool water has not been properly treated. A common cause is high levels of chloramines, formed when chlorine combines with body oils, perspiration, urine and other contaminants brought into pools by swimmers. Contrary to what most people think, a strong chemical smell is not an indication of too much chlorine in the pool. In fact, the pool may actually need additional chlorine treatment to get rid of chloramines and sanitize the water. Good pool management, including proper ventilation of indoor pools, can significantly reduce chloramine levels in water and air. Swimmers can help, too, by showering before entering the pool. Another important factor for swimmer comfort is the pH of the water. A swimmer’s body has a pH between 7.2 and 7.8. If the pool water isn’t kept in this range then swimmers will start to feel irritation of their eyes and skin. Skin irritation can also be caused by germs. Skin infections (dermatitis) are commonly caused b
