Swimming Pool Chemicals: Preventing Chemical Wetting
- Preventing Chemical Wetting is available in Portable Document Format (PDF, 204KB)
At a Rensselaer County home, a lid was left open on a five-gallon pail that contained chlorine tablets allowing moisture to enter the pail. The chlorine tablets reacted with the water, producing chlorine gas and a strong odor in the area. An environmental agency and a hazardous materials team responded to the home and conducted cleanup.
What is chemical wetting?
Addition of a limited volume of water to a chemical.
Why is chemical wetting dangerous?
It can produce an unwanted chemical reaction and release a toxic gas.
Potential sources of water:
- Leaks from roofs, windows, doors, wall and floor joints, water pipes, hoses, sprinkler systems, and drains.
- Moisture from air when the humidity is high.
Ways to prevent chemical contact with water:
ALWAYS |
Close containers properly and tightly. |
---|---|
Enclose opened or damaged packaging in waterproof containers. | |
Store chemicals off the floor and away from doors and windows. | |
Check for roof leaks, open or broken windows, or leakage from water pipes, hoses or sprinkler systems. | |
Check for faulty or clogged floor drains. | |
Be careful when water is used for cleanup of areas near stored packages. |
For Additional Information
Send your questions and comments to bcehfp@health.ny.gov, or contact Swimming Pool staff at:
Center for Environmental HealthBureau of Community Environmental Health & Food Protection
Empire State Plaza-Corning Tower, Room 1395
Albany, New York 12237 Phone: (518) 402-7600
Fax: (518) 402-7609