• HTC chlorine is used as a pool disinfectant.Swimming pool and pool house image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
  
  Swimming pools are susceptible to a wide range of pathogenic, disease-causing microorganisms. These harmful substances must be inhibited to prevent diseases. Chlorine effectively eliminates disease-causing substances in pools. Chlorine is a powerful antiseptic, bactericide and disinfectant that neutralizes harmful contaminants and waterborne diseases. High Test Hypochlorite (HTC) Chlorine, also called calcium hypochlorite, perchloron or hypochlorous acid, is a chemical compound of chlorine and calcium that contains between 60 and 70 percent chlorine. It is used extensively as a swimming pool disinfectant, but its use is linked with various problems.
  
  

Problems Due to Chloramines

• HTC chlorine reacts with organic pool pollutants (urine, perspiration, saliva and microorganisms) and converts them into inactive substances called chloramines. Chloramines produce foul odors when in excess and are respiratory, eye and skin irritants. The most common chloramines produced, according to Karen Atkinson et.al., in the book "Physiotherapy in Orthopaedics," include dichloramines, monochloramines and trichloromines. High levels of trichloramines cause foul odors and eye irritation.
  
  

Scaling

• HTC chlorine causes scaling in swimming pools by increasing the calcium hardness of water, which refers to the level of calcium in pool water. An excess of calcium level causes calcium hardness to rise, resulting in the formation of scale--white, crusty deposits that adhere to pool heat exchangers, plumbing, floors and walls. Scale reduces pool water circulation and blocks swimming pool filters. Surface scale can cause bodily harm and minor injury to swimmers. High levels of scale can turn the pool water cloudy.
  
  

Health Problems

• According to the material safety data sheet (MSDS) on HTH or calcium hypochlorite, repeated and prolonged exposure causes dermatitis, skin irritation, eye irritation and can damage target organs. HTH chlorine is toxic to the mucous membranes and the lungs. According to R.A.S Hemat in the book "Water," excess pool HTH can cause rashes and eczema. A swimmer becomes more susceptible to these diseases in pools that are high in pH value. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), HTC chlorine is corrosive, and accidental ingestion of pool water treated with 3 to 6 percent hypochlorite concentrate causes gastrointestinal irritation, cramps and nausea. Ingestion of HTC chlorine concentrates greater than 10 percent cause injuries to the stomach, esophagus, throat and mouth. Chlorine gas is a byproduct of concentrated HTC chlorine. Inhalation of the gas causes coughing, sore throat and nasal irritation.