What can chlorine gas react with to create harmful compounds?

Chlorine gas can react with ammonia to form chloramines, which are harmful compounds. This reaction occurs when chlorine is used for sanitation in swimming pools and interacts with organic nitrogen compounds present such as ammonia. The resulting chloramines can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract and can contribute to unpleasant odors in pool water.

Understanding this interaction is crucial for pool maintenance and safety, as chloramines can arise from the combination of chlorine and ammonia, underscoring the importance of maintaining proper chemical balance in pool environments. This explains why managing ammonia levels is essential to prevent the formation of these harmful by-products.