What are Chloramines in swimming pools?

Chloramines are substances derived from ammonia, and formed through the reaction of free chlorine as they combine with organic substances found in water, as hydrogen atoms in ammonia are replaced with chlorine atoms.

In swimming pools, chloramines can be produced if an adequate chlorine level is not maintained in the pool water.  Organic materials and algae growth in the pool water bind with free chlorine to produce chloramines.

Although combined chlorine does mildly provide disinfectant properties, high chloramine levels will irritate eyes, nasal passages, and mucous membranes of pool swimmers.  As chlorine is converted to combined chlorine, less free chlorine is available in the water, risking water quality and safety of swimmers.  Pool test kits and test strips are able to detect chloramine levels by testing total chlorine and free chlorine in the pool water.  Subtracting the free chlorine level from the total chlorine level reveals the combined chlorine level in the pool water.  Superchlorination, or shocking the swimming pool water, is the established way to rid swimming pool water of chloramines.

Sources:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloramine
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_treatment
• http://www.wqa.org/pdf/TechBulletins/TB-Chloramine.pdf

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