What is the danger of a high cyanuric acid level in pool water?

High levels of cyanuric acid in pool water present a significant concern because it reduces the effectiveness of chlorine as a sanitizer. Cyanuric acid is often used in outdoor pools to stabilize chlorine from being broken down by sunlight, but when its concentration exceeds the recommended levels, it can hinder chlorine's ability to effectively kill bacteria and other pathogens. This is primarily because high cyanuric acid levels can create a situation where chlorine becomes "bound" and less available to sanitize the water, leading to potential health hazards and inadequate water quality management.

While issues like skin irritation, algae blooms, and cloudy water can stem from various other causes or conditions in pool maintenance, the core problem with excessive cyanuric acid is its impact on chlorine efficiency, ultimately risking swimmer health and safety.