Swimming Pool Chemicals and the Research Paper

Besides chlorine, other chemicals commonly used in treating swimming pools include those described in Table 1 below:

Table 1

Commonly Used Swimming Pool Chemicals and Their Effects/Action

Chemical

Effect/Action

Bromine

More stable in hot water than chlorine, bromine functions in much the same way as chlorine in killing pool bacteria; however, bromine is more resilient to the effects of the other chemicals used and will last longer than chlorine.

Pool shock and super chlorinators

When chlorine and bacteria combine in pool water, they are eliminated by briefly raising the chlorine level of the water using pool "shockers" and super chlorinators; there are some chlorine-free shockers available that use potassium monopersulfate that are reported to work just as well.

Pool water balancers

Cyanuric acid is used to help keep swimming pool water clean and to prevent harm to swimmers' skin and hair as well as to help keep pool maintenance equipment working properly by controlling the pH and alkalinity levels. Calcium levels are also controlled using the standard chlorine pool shock chemical, calcium hypochlorite.

Algaecides and Enzymes

Algaecides that are copper-based use copper to treat and prevent algae growth; however, although these chemicals are effective, they can cause stains on a swimming pool's surface if they are not used properly. Enzymes are increasingly being used to help minimize the amount of chlorine that is required to maintain safe water conditions.

Source: Swimming Pool Chemicals 2010

Conclusion

The research showed that a wide range of chemical products are used to maintain water quality in swimming pools.When used properly, these chemicals provide consumers with the action they need to help moderate pH and alkalinity levels as well as the amount of dangerous bacteria that is present in swimming pool water. The research also showed that the most prominent -- and powerful -- chemical typically used to treat swimming pool water remains chlorine which is a highly toxic substance that is capable of causing injuries directly if applied to the skin, eyes or hair or indirectly, if mixed with other common chemicals that are part of the swimming pool water treatment process. Taken together, the research was consistent in emphasizing the need for consumers to exercise caution when using these chemicals and to carefully follow manufacturers' directions in the application of these products.

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Wolf, Ann Marie A., Lori E. Kettler, J. Fred Leahy and Anna….....