The pool market in Belgium has experienced unprecedented growth over the last few years. Driven by heatwaves and new lifestyles Belgian gardens have been transformed into true relaxation spaces. However this democratization comes with a major challenge for us professionals in the sector regarding health safety and the compliance of treatment products.
The Belgian Federation of Pool and Wellness Professionals is raising the alarm about the use of unauthorized products that still circulate too often on our territory.
The real risks of chlorine gas for users
The handling of disinfectant products is never a trivial act. The Poison Centre reports a significant increase in accidents every year as soon as spring arrives with a peak during the summer. These incidents affect both adults and children and often result from improper handling.
The release of chlorine gas frequently occurs due to unsuitable storage. Simple exposure to the sun or accidental dampening of the packaging is enough to trigger a dangerous chemical reaction. When a customer handles a tablet with wet hands before closing the container they unknowingly create an accumulation of toxic gas. Upon the next opening inhalation immediately causes severe coughing as well as respiratory or eye irritation. As experts we must imperatively advise our customers to monitor the appearance of their packaging and to remain cautious when faced with a bucket that appears swollen.
Why you should only prioritize authorized products
It is sometimes tempting for a private individual to turn to cheaper solutions or products found on foreign platforms. Yet products not authorized in Belgium represent a real danger because they have undergone no risk assessment by the FPS Public Health. Beyond the health aspect these substances can seriously damage technical installations and pool liners.
An approved product guarantees a rigorous evaluation based on three fundamental pillars which are human health environmental impact and actual effectiveness. The labeling must mandatory mention the dangers in French and Dutch as well as the contact details for the Poison Centre. To verify the compliance of a reference the Gestautor search engine remains the indispensable reference tool. It is important to remember that the sale of unauthorized products exposes the distributor to severe sanctions such as heavy fines or immediate removal from the market.
The specific case of bromine in Belgium
Confusion often persists regarding bromine. Although it is used in some neighboring countries no bromine based product is currently authorized for pool disinfection in Belgium. This component presents significant health risks if it is not perfectly controlled.
Furthermore its use proves to be economically disadvantageous for the final customer. Bromine requires a much higher dosage than chlorine to reach an equivalent level of disinfection. In the event of an overdose it becomes extremely corrosive to the liner. This premature degradation leads to heavy renovation costs that could have been avoided with a classic and compliant chlorine treatment.
Best practices for safety and storage
Educating the final customer is an essential mission for the professional. Systematic reading of the label as well as the instructions for use must become a reflex for every user. The specialized website lireavantutilisation.be constitutes an excellent resource for deciphering danger symbols and adopting the right strategy in case of an incident.
Individual protection also remains a priority. Wearing suitable gloves and protective goggles is highly recommended during every chemical handling. Moreover the storage of products must be done in a cool dry place and above all out of reach of children. Treatment products should never be transferred into food packaging because the risk of accidental ingestion is critical.
In case of doubt regarding water quality or the treatment procedure the intervention of a professional remains the only guarantee of safety. The Federation also provides numerous technical videos to support owners in the daily maintenance of their pools.
