What are chloramines known for?

Chloramines are formed when chlorine, a common sanitizer used in swimming pools, reacts with ammonia, which can come from sources like sweat, urine, and other contaminants introduced by swimmers. This reaction produces chloramines, which are compounds that can serve as both a sanitizer and a byproduct of the disinfection process.

While chloramines can have some sanitizing properties, they are often associated with unpleasant odors and can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, which is why options highlighting their effectiveness without odor or their benefit to swimmer health do not accurately represent chloramines’ characteristics. Additionally, chloramines do not enhance the efficiency of chlorine; instead, they can reduce its effectiveness as they serve as an indicator that the pool may need more chlorine added to maintain proper sanitation levels. This makes the formation of chloramines an important factor in pool maintenance and water quality management.