The maximum safe chlorine level is 3 parts per million (ppm). Anything above 5ppm is considered a hazard and should be addressed immediately. If you find numbers as high as 7-10ppm, the pool should not be used until chlorine levels return to safer levels.
Too much chlorine in the pool can cause swimmers to feel like their eyes are itching, it can cause discomfort on the skin and it can lead to the fading of your swimsuits. At seriously high levels, it can cause more serious medical problems for swimmers.
Statistically, a pool without chlorine is more likely to make you sick because of the possibility of being exposed to the things not contained or killed by chlorine. Remember, your skin is porous, so microscopic impurities can pass through. A pool sans chlorine is akin to a big puddle of murky water.
Pool and Spa Expert: Patrick D. A chlorine level of 7 to 8 parts permillion is OK to still swim in. Ideally need to get it closer to 5 ppm but as long as it's under 10 ppm it is totally acceptable. Pool and Spa Expert: Patrick D.
Swimming in a pool with too much chlorine can cause skin irritation, dryness, redness, and itching. It may also irritate the eyes and respiratory system, leading to redness, burning sensations, or difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure can damage hair and exacerbate these effects.
Test your pool water
If the combined chlorine is above 0.2 ppm, then you need to shock your pool. Don't forget to check the pH level before you add your solution (ideally, it should be between 7.2 and 7.6). Any higher and it'll make your pool shock ineffective.
Respiratory Distress: Individuals may experience coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Eye and Skin Irritation: Red, itchy, and watery eyes, along with skin redness and irritation, are common signs of chlorine exposure.
This depends on the method you use and how high your chlorine levels are. Sunlight and evaporation can take a few days, while chemical neutralizers work much faster.
Short-term exposure to chlorine in air
throat irritation at 5-15 ppm. immediate chest pain, vomiting, changes in breathing rate, and cough at 30 ppm. lung injury (toxic pneumonitis) and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) at 40-60 ppm. death after 30 minute exposure to 430 ppm.
So, to answer the question, if your Total Chlorine is high but Free Chlorine is low, it is an indication that the hot tub requires a shock treatment. This can be done by adding your weekly dose of an oxidizer like Dazzle Amaze or Mineraluxe Oxygen.
Chlorine testers can show if the chlorine levels are above the one- to three-ppm (parts per million) limit. If the levels are above three ppm, the pool water will irritate the skin and eyes, and extreme chlorination can cause poisoning.
Chlorine can irritate the eyes, skin, hair, and teeth. Swimming occasionally doesn't cause significant side effects. People who swim frequently are more likely to experience chlorine side effects. Chlorinated water is considered safe when pools have the correct concentration of chlorine.
Once the chlorine level has dropped below 5.0 ppm it should be safe to swim in. That's barely more chlorine than the tap water we use for bathing, cooking, and drinking.
Short Summary. It is essential to regulate chlorine levels in a pool between 1-3 ppm, as levels exceeding 5 ppm can be hazardous. Swimming in a pool with high chlorine levels should be avoided. The highest safe chlorine level for a pool is 3 ppm.
Boiling water for 15 minutes also helps to remove chlorine as it causes the chlorine to evaporate. But the quickest and most effective way to remove chlorine from drinking water is with activated carbon filters in a reverse osmosis drinking water system.
Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly. Chlorine tabs (placed in a chlorinator, floater, or skimmer basket) maintain a chlorine residual in the water. You do need to use both tabs and shock.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide.
Pool-grade hydrogen peroxide reacts with chlorine to produce water and oxygen. Just be sure to test your pH before adding it. It works best at pH levels of 7.0 or higher. It will also lower your pH after using it, so be sure to test and adjust your levels then too.
Just Wait it Out. Chlorine will burn itself off naturally. Depending on how hot it is and how high your chlorine levels are will determine the amount of time needed. It could be quick or it could take a few days.
More water in the pool = lower concentration of chlorine in the pool. Rainwater also lowers chlorine by collecting pollutants, particles, and other contaminants in the air on its way down and delivering them into the pool or spa water.
In simpler terms, swimming stimulates your metabolism by increasing the circulation of blood. As a result, toxin removal is facilitated. Hence, the more you swim, the better your skin will look and feel.
Chlorine or chloramine levels up to 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L), or 4 parts per million (ppm), are considered safe in drinking water. These low levels kill harmful germs and are unlikely to make people sick.