Myth: Chlorine is the Culprit
People often assume they will have irritated eyes and skin and possibly green hair after swimming in a backyard pool. They erroneously think the problem is too much chlorine in the water. In fact, the opposite may be true. The pool may need more chlorine!
Skin and eye irritation may be prevented by adding more chlorine. When chlorine comes into contact with water, it forms hypochlorous acid. This acid does a good job with destroying pathogens, but the downside is that it forms chloramines, which means the chlorine is no longer effective, but the chloramines give the water a very strong chlorine smell. It is at this stage that the eyes and skin are irritated; not from the chlorine, but from the chloramines. The solution? Add more chlorine or a non-chlorine oxidizer like sodium tetraborate.
Incorrect pH level may cause eye and skin irritation. The ideal pH of swimming pool water is between 7.2 and 7.6. A low pH irritates skin and eyes more than a higher one.
Solution to skin irritation. Take a shower immediately after your swimming day is over. Then, apply a rich moisturizing cream all over your body.
Solution to eye irritation. Use eye drops designed to ease discomfort of red, itchy eyes.
Copper, not Chlorine, Turns Hair Green
If you notice that your hair turns green after swimming, the culprit is not chlorine in the water, but copper. Contact an experienced pool service technician who can provide the right chemicals to reduce or get rid of the copper. Meanwhile, after getting out of the pool, rinse your hair to remove all chemicals.
Contact us at Anchor Pools & Spas for help in maintaining the proper chemical and pH balance of your pool water. Our expert pool maintenance technicians receive training in the most current information and technology available. We can test the pH level of pool water and make sure the chemical levels are correct.
