Chemicals are good, so why are my eyes irritated?

[Tredge]

Not sure if this is relevant to your problem but my Wife noticed that her eyes hurt in the pool this year when they didnt at all last year.

The only thing I've done different is add Borax to the pool. Does this irritate the eyes?

[waterbear]

It should lessen irritation. At normal pool pH about 2/3 of the borates in the water are in the form of boric acid. Boric acid has been used traditionally as a soothing eye wash.

[pruggera]

I have used the Gas Law process to reduce TA. With the Taylor K-2006 I now get these results:

FC - 1.6
CC - 0
pH - 7.6
TA - 100
Ca - 240
Cya - probably 20 (test shows < 30)

23,000 gallon In Ground Plaster Pool
2.5 Hp two speed Hayward pump
48 Sq. Ft. D.E. Filter

I'm still working on raising Cya. I also dropped 80# of salt in but haven't had a chance to try it out.

[crackerjack]

Not sure if this is relevant to your problem but my Wife noticed that her eyes hurt in the pool this year when they didnt at all last year.

The only thing I've done different is add Borax to the pool. Does this irritate the eyes?

This also seems to be a problem with my wife this year also, I over did it with 80 ppm of borates after the fact when my test strips finally made it in.
Does not seem to affect anyone else but her.
I am trying to find out if it is maybe something else that is causing this, like maybe the sunscreen that is applied on her face.
They are so irritated that they are icthy and swollen for 2-3 days.

Salt level has been around 3200 ppm since last year.

[ShelleyAnn]

Pollen. Are you outside when you are in the pool? Are you inside most other times? I have allergies this time of year that I don't have other times.

[pruggera]

Update:

Eye irritation is greatly reduced after adding 260 pounds of salt and five pounds of Cyanuric acid. I also fixed the high TA using the gas law technique.

Using the Taylor K-2006 I now get these results:

FC - 3
CC - 0
PH - 7.6
TA - 90
Ca - 240
Cya - 30

Using the Taylor K-1766 Drop Test for Chloride:
Salt - 2200 ppm

23,000 gallon In Ground Plaster Pool
2.5 Hp two speed Hayward pump
48 Sq. Ft. D.E. Filter

Thanks go to Richard (Chem Geek) and CarlD for your valuable guidance.


Phil