Use Swimming Pool Chemicals Safely

The National Capital Poison Center has helped many people with problems related to swimming pool chemicals: eye irritation, skin burns, and breathing problems – some severe enough to require hospital treatment.

Chlorine and other swimming pool chemicals control bacteria that could make us ill. This is true for small home pools and large public pools alike. To protect your health while swimming, it is important to maintain proper chlorine levels and water pH.  

On the other hand, these are strong chemicals that can cause problems if they are misused. Too much chlorine in a pool can cause eye irritation, skin rashes, and even loss of tooth enamel. If swimming pool chemicals are handled or stored incorrectly, results may include poisonous gases, explosions, and chemical burns of the skin and eyes.

Here are some safety tips if you have a pool and the chemicals to maintain it:

• If someone gets chlorine into their eyes or onto their skin, flush immediately with lots of running water.  Continue for at least 15-20 minutes.  Then call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

• If there is a strong chemical odor or fume, immediately get away from the area.  Be sure that EVERYONE has moved to fresh air.  Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for more instructions.

• Always, always follow label instructions for using and storing these chemicals.  Depending on the product, the instructions might include the following:

  • Wear gloves, footwear, and eye protection when handling chlorine and other chemicals. If chlorine splashes in your eyes or gets on your skin, serious chemical burns may occur.

  • Be sure that children and pets are not around when you use these products.

  • Unless the label says otherwise, add the chemical to the pool.  Do not add small amounts of water to the product, as a chemical reaction generating heat or an explosion might occur.

  • Do not mix chemicals unless the labels clearly say to do so.  Also, do not mix different types of chlorine, or old and new products, together.

  • Store products in their original containers.  Be sure the lids are secure.  Place containers so they won't stand in water, have water splash or drip on them, or leak onto each other.