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Add products to cartChlorine... and Swimming Pools Part 2
Chlorine is a type of disinfectant or sanitizer. It can kill germs just like alcohol, iodine, or the saline solution we use to clean wounds. However, chlorine is much more effective, as only a small amount is needed to completely kill germs. Approximately 1/4 part per million is sufficient for a swimming pool.
Chlorine works through a reaction called oxidation. Simply put, chlorine destroys germs or various organic substances in the water by breaking them down into tiny pieces and can further break down these pieces until they completely dissolve in the water.
However, the effectiveness of chlorine depends on the acidity-alkalinity or pH level. The swimming pool pH recommended by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is in the range of 7.2-7.8, which is where chlorine works best and is not harmful to human skin.
If the pH is too high, approaching 8 or more than 8, chlorine will be in a state where it cannot function. Therefore, we often find that if the water is green, the pH is definitely high. But if it's too low, below 7 or approaching 6 (or even lower than 6!),
Even though chlorine works very well, users will start to experience irritation, and this acidic condition also corrodes the stairs and metal structures in the swimming pool.
When testing chlorine with high-quality, high-resolution measuring instruments, 3 chlorine values will be read:
- Free chlorine is the value of chlorine that is still usable and active.
- Combined chlorine is chlorine that has been used up; it is chlorine waste that is no longer effective.
Total chlorine, which is the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine. For testing with a color-matching test kit, the reading refers to the total chlorine value. Sometimes, when our pool water turns green, the pH is low, the chlorine is high, and it smells strongly of chlorine, assume that the measured chlorine value is definitely combined chlorine or waste chlorine.
Another property of chlorine is that it makes the water more acidic, and in a very acidic condition (pH below 6), almost all substances in the water, including suspended solids and various stains, will completely dissolve, making the water look clear and the pool beautiful. However, it can cause skin irritation, stinging eyes, and dry, brittle hair that breaks easily for users. Therefore, adding a lot of chlorine is not a good option for clarifying water.