Function

• The chemicals used in pool maintenance serve an important function, by killing off harmful bacteria and algae and making the water safe to swim in. But because these chemicals are strong enough to keep pool water safe from germs and other harmful agents, they can in turn be harmful if you come in direct contact with them or inhale them.
  
  

Types

• The most common chemicals used in pool maintenance include chlorine, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, muriatic (hydrochloric) acid, sodium bisulfate and bromine. Chlorine and bromine serve much the same purpose and are used to kill bacteria in the water. The rest are used in maintaining the proper pH balance of the pool, helping to lower acid levels or raise alkaline levels accordingly. Other chemicals that are often offered for proper pool maintenance will include Calcium Increasers, Water Conditioners, Chlorine Neutralizers and Algaecides.
  
  

Features

• Chlorine comes in many forms, including tablets, sticks and granules while in solid form. You can also buy it in liquid form, though in this state it can be more hazardous because of fumes and its ability to be absorbed more easily into the skin. Bromine also comes in both a solid and liquid form, as it is meant to be used in much the same fashion as chlorine. Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate will often be labeled as "pH Increaser" or "Alkalinity Increaser" and come in granular form that makes it easy to measure out the proper dosage and add to the pool water as needed. Sodium bisulfate will often come labeled as "pH Reducer," and is packaged in granular form similar to the pH Increaser chemicals.
  
  

Warning

• All chemicals that are used in pool maintenance carry some level of risk. The gas fumes from chlorine can irritated the respiratory tract and irritate the sensitive tissues of the eyes. Sodium carbonate can cause irritation if it comes in contact with the skin, as well as burning the eyes and hurting the respiratory tract if its fumes are inhaled directly. Sodium bicarbonate not only can cause similar irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, but if ingested it can cause ackalosis, a reduction of hydrogen ion concentration in arterial blood that could lead to serious health issues. Sodium bisulfate is another chemical that can irritate skin and the respiratory tract, and has also been shown to cause severe allergic reactions in some people, especially those who suffer from asthma. Muriatic (hydrochloric) acid can be one of the most hazardous chemicals you will use in pool maintenance. Inhaling the fumes can cause serious damage to the respiratory tract, and ingesting it can be fatal. Just letting it touch your skin can cause severe damage, as it is a highly corrosive chemical.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• All chemicals used in pool maintenance should be stored in a safe place where children and animals cannot come in contact with them. Only a trained adult who understands the precautions necessary when using these chemicals should handle them at any time. If a child, pet, or an adult accidentally ingests the chemicals, inhales them too deeply, or gets them on their skin, the poison control center or a physician should be contacted immediately.