The labour ministry’s inspection department has urged the public to remain cautious when using products for cleaning and disinfecting swimming pools ahead of the summer season.

Products used for the disinfection and cleaning of swimming pools may, due to the mixing of incompatible chemical products could lead to the release of hazardous chemical substances and result in health problems, the department warned.

It particularly warned about the use of chlorine, as the most commonly used, easily water-soluble, and effective disinfectant. Mixing it with other materials could result in the release of chlorine gas, which reacted violently with metals, was highly toxic and potentially fatal if inhaled, and could causes severe irritation to the skin, eyes and mucous membrane.

Combining chlorine products with acids or ammonia solutions could lead to the production of toxic or explosive substances.

In view of the upcoming tourist season, the department urged employers in the hotel and gastronomy sectors to carry out proper risk assessments to ensure the protection of their employees during facility cleaning.

It emphasised that all chemical products used needed to be clearly labelled with necessary risk information and stored in appropriate, designated areas. Additionally, it stressed the importance emergency plans, including smoke and chemical release detection systems, as well as personnel trained in first aid for such incidents.

To assist employers in preparing the necessary general risk assessments, the department reminded hotel owners of the free interactive tool OiRA (Online interactive Risk Assessment), available to help identify and manage workplace hazards.

Incidents involving the misuse of swimming pool chemicals occur regularly in Cyprus. In 2024 alone, two notable cases were reported, one of which had eight children hospitalised after inhaling chlorine fumes at a hotel in Paphos and another in 26 hotel guests in Yeroskipou were affected when a worker mistakenly poured a total of 10 litres of calcium hypochlorite and chlorine into the pool’s overflow channel.