Strong Chlorine Smell
A pungent chlorine odor caused by chloramines, not excess chlorine.
Definition
The "strong chlorine smell" associated with pools is not caused by too much free chlorine — it is caused by combined chlorine (chloramines). When free chlorine reacts with nitrogen compounds from bathers (urea, ammonia, amino acids), it forms chloramines that have a strong, distinctive odor and are irritating to eyes and respiratory tract. Paradoxically, the solution is to add MORE chlorine (breakpoint chlorination) to destroy the chloramines, not less. A well-maintained pool with low combined chlorine should have little to no chlorine smell.
Quick Facts
- Ideal Range
- N/A (prevented by keeping CC < 0.5 ppm)
Relationships
Outgoing Relationships
- causes → Combined Chlorine
Incoming Relationships
- causes ← Combined Chlorine
- solves ← Shock Treatment
- solves ← Breakpoint Chlorination