Transporting pool chemicals

Pool chemicals such as liquid, dry or granular pool chlorine are classed as dangerous goods and they need to be handled carefully. Always read the label and follow the instructions for use and transport. Commonly used pool chemicals that are dangerous goods include:

• sodium hypochlorite or liquid pool chlorine - Class: Corrosive 8, PG: III and UN No.: 1791
• hydrochloric acid or pH decreaser and muriatic acid - Class: Corrosive 8, PG: II and UN No.: 1789
• calcium hypochlorite or granular pool chlorine - Class: Oxidising Agent 5.1, PG: II and UN No.: 1748
• Sodium dichloroisocyanurate or stabilised pool chlorine and dichlor - Class: Oxidizing Agent 5.1, PG: II and UN No.: 2465
• Trichloroisocyanuric acid or stabilised pool chlorine and trichlor - Class: Oxidising Agent 5.1, PG: II and UN No.: 2468
• Sulphuric acid or non-fuming pool acid - Class: Corrosive 8, PG: III, UN No.: 1830

There are two pool chemicals in the dangerous goods list that are considered incompatible and highly hazardous when they:

• come into contact with each other and some other pool chemicals
• are subject to temperature
• are subject to moisture.

They can produce toxic chlorine gas, explode and combust.

People transporting multiple pool chemicals or large volumes like couriers should take additional precautions, especially if transporting other dangerous goods.

Calcium hypochlorite or dry pool chlorine

This should not come into contact with the following:

• heat
• moisture
• sodium dichloroisocyanurate, trichloroisocyanuric acid
• other acids.

Hypochlorite solution or liquid pool chlorine

This should not come into contact with the following:

• acidic solids and solutions like ph decreaser products, scale removers and cell cleaners, and compounds such as aluminium sulphate
• hydrogen peroxide solutions
• reducing agents including sodium sulphite and bisulphite.

With pool chemicals, one of the possible by-products is chlorine gas—which can irritate the nose and throat. Overexposure to chlorine gas can cause coughing, heavy breathing, sore throats, and potentially fatal lung disorders such as chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary oedema.

Symptoms

People breathing in chlorine gas may experience:

• headaches
• ringing in the ears
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• nausea
• vomiting
• depression of all the senses
• unconsciousness (under some circumstances, it could be fatal).

The following precautions will help you to transport pool chemicals safely:

• before transporting pool chemicals, check the packaging to ensure it is in good condition and that there are no leaks
• keep the packages secure, upright and protected from anything that may puncture or damage the packages
• ensure incompatible chemicals are kept separate such as sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite from sulphuric and hydrochloric acid
• ensure the chemicals are transported in a ventilated vehicle like a ute tray or with the windows open.