Smaller than small

The trend in compact cameras are over since the past few years, then it's been getting more and more compact until now. Though we've seen quite a few ultra slim models within the last year, the new chobi cam coming from Japan puts even the tiny models to shame. It is the smallest fully fledged ......continue

Let's toast it thru

Every products change in a very fast pace as we couldn't separate technologies with our life, nowadays there's a new toaster product where you can sit and watch your toast brown. So are you sick of burnt toast for breakfast because you're too busy to pop up the bread every single time to check it progress? Don't worry, now you can watch your ......continue

Soap flakes

Speaking about the environment issues, today, Designer Nathalie Stämpfli had came up with another better solution to reduce on unnecessary cost and at the same time it also lend a hand to help our fragile environment and create awareness as well as immediate attention on the environment ......continue

Arch Touch Mouse

Ever since the first launched of magic mouse from apple, it has been amazed me the most with it's fabulous outlook and features. Now, Microsoft has finally release the arc touch mouse after the rumors and leaks.I can't believe I'm writing about Microsoft as being an apple user myself. But seriously their ......continue

Kettle Bulb

I've never seen such unique kettles before. Have you?This kettle uses a light bulb to heat up water and this what making it ultra unique. The brilliant creation is form Estelle Sauvage from Superior National School of Art and Design in Saint-Etienne.It works with the heat of an incandescent .....continue

Jelly Glassy

Isn't it such a simple and smart idea? Since the whole world is concern about the environment protection, a quartet of sparkling young minds called the way we see the world came out with and idea to protect the environment by creating an biodegradable and edible drinking glass.The glass ....continue

PickerPen

Previously I've talk about the amazing electronic ruler and today I'm gonna introduce another creative designed stationary.When we were young crayons and color pencils served as our introduction to the art. We used to compare with each other whether who has the largest box of ....continue

Rule Your World

So, who doesn't has their own sweet memories of the wooden ruler during their time spent in their school ? As far as invention goes, a ruler is just a simple thing for measuring purpose. but now Shay Shafranek from Israel is modifying an old school wooden ruler to an electronic ruler with the ....continue

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

In fairy tales, we had a magical mirror that answers any question, to whom we often asks: "Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who in the land is fairest of all?"But in the 21st century, here is a cool and incredibly hi-tech Maitre mirror from Stocco of Italy.The Maitre mirror is polished and flush-.....continue

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Pools are cool!

8:27 PM munnie



With the really warm weather we are having in Malaysia, I thought it would be a great time to immerse ourselves into an Olympic size of swimming pool. Don't you agree with me? I guess there's no better place to get away from the hotness and what’s more fun than some ice cold water on a hot day.
When we talk about swimming pools, have you ever smelled the high level of chlorine in the water? Did you ever feel itchiness on your skin with your bareback polyester sheath?
Well, I did. I smelled the strong odor and my palms always happen to appear some red patches after I swam and it's itchy. Some people are even highly allergic to chlorine, so do you know what exactly chlorine is? and why is it chlorine is added to the swimming pool.

Let's explore deeper.

According to wikipedia, Chlorine is a powerful oxidant and is used in bleaching and disinfectants. Therefore swimming pool need to be properly sanitized to ensure hygience of swimmers.Basically, it is an oxidizing agent used to disinfect water to reduce or eliminate microorganisms such as bacteria, algae and viruses.

There's few types of chlorine used for swimming pools such as

1. 56% to 62% Sodium Dichloro-S-Triazinetrione in granular chlorine
2. 90% Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione in chlorine tablets or stick
3. 65% Calcium Hypochlorite in the form of Granular Chlorine Sodium Hypochlorite in liquid form


All type of chlorine above will form hypochlorous acid which are similar to following reaction.

Cl2 + H2O → HOCl (hypochlorous acid) + HCl (hydrochloric acid)


HOCI will attack the microorganisms and bacteria in the water by destroying the lipids in the cell wall and the enzymes within the cells. HOCI causes the bacteria cells oxidized as thgey destroy the structure inside the cells. Therefore, HOCI is considered a very strong oxidizing agent.

In aqueous solution, HOCI can partially dissociate into anion hypochlorite CIO- which is weaker oxidizing agent. Hence, basic condition (high PH) will reduce the effectiveness of chlorine.

HClO ↔ OCl- + H+


Nevertheless, HOCI is unstable under high temperature. At the moment, HOCI will decompose into HCI and oxygen with the presence of sunlight. Cyanuric acid can stabilize HOCI but reduce the effectiveness of HCIO.The reaction is occurred like below.

2Cl2 + 2H2O ↔ 4HCl + O2

HOCI may combine with other chemicals to form chloroamine even with cyanuric acid as stabilising agent. Hypochlorus acid may combine with ammonia, found in urine to produce various chloroamine. Chloroamine is the main source of causing skin and eyes irritation and the unpleasant odor. Thus, the strong smell, taste and eye irritation associate with swimming pools are actually due to chloroamine but not hypochlorus acid.

NH3 + HOCl → NH2Cl + H2O

Alright, now you will think that you won't be exposed to chlorine if you promised you don't swim. I shall tell you that you are wrong. Did you ever stepped into morning shower and realized that each time you take a shower,your body is exposed to chlorine and you absorb it right into your body.

Anyhow,Scientists consider chlorine one of the most toxic elements found in nature and yet the number of people allergic to chlorine is extremely small. Eye irritation, dry skin, coughing, sneezing, stuffy or itchy nose may be just the symptoms of an intolerance to chlorine instead of a true allergy.

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