We’ve all walked into a hotel, recreation center or health club and encountered that smell. You haven’t seen the pool, but the chlorine odor tells you it’s there.
The Chlorine Smell Myth
Contrary to popular belief, that smell is not chlorine and it does not mean the pool is healthy. Disinfection byproducts, produced when chlorine interacts with organic materials and contaminants, create this heavy chlorine odor. Certain disinfection byproducts, such as haloacetic acids (HAAs), trihalomethanes (THMs) and chloroform, have been shown to be toxic.
Because of the smell and health concerns, commercial pool operators, particularly those managing indoor facilities, are searching for ways to reduce disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in the pool environment. Improving the ventilation system only goes so far.
The New Solution
Earlier this year, a YMCA pool that had been struggling with the chlorine smell permeating the entire facility started using Clear Comfort’s Advanced Oxidation pool system to treat the pool. After just three months, Clear Comfort measured a 91.5 percent reduction in HAA and an 84.8 percent reduction in THM. Notably, 68.9 percent of the known carcinogen chloroform was removed.
Haloacetic acids cause skin and eye irritation, increase risk of cancer, and are toxic to the lungs, liver and reproductive system. Trihalomethanes cause kidney, liver and brain damage and increase risk of cancer*.
Join the Mission to Reduce DBPs in Public Pools
Whether you work at a pool, swim at a pool or manage a pool, you can make a big difference. Download the disinfection byproduct case study today and bring it to your boss, your local pool or, if you’re the aquatics director, contact us to schedule a quick site survey.
*Source: EPA
Lauren McNitt
Lauren loves swimming during the summer and relaxing in a hot tub after skiing, but the harsh chemicals limit the time she can spend in a pool. She's excited to bring Clear Comfort to others who share her enjoyment of swimming. Lauren is the Director of Marketing for Clear Comfort.
