A swimming school maintenance employee accidentally dumped chlorine powder into a sewer, causing a chemical reaction. The incident occurred on March 5, according to Mr Tan Jian Yong, the founder of Happy Fish Swim School.
While pools regularly add chlorine to clear germs, mould buildup, bacteria and other chemical compounds present in the water; when added in excess, there are side effects of chlorine in swimming pools.
What Happened At The Swimming School?
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The incident occurred at about 8.30 pm at one of the school’s branches located in Jurong East. Explaining the incident in a Facebook post, the school founder said that the chemical reaction “ignited a flare and caused an alarming sound.”
The school had hired the waste management company after it noticed a strong smell coming from the chlorine drum, which had to be discarded after coming in contact with moist air. However, the maintenance worker wasn’t aware that dumping the powder in the sewer would cause a chemical reaction.
“Our maintenance keeper genuinely has mistaken the intention and took the initiative to discard the chlorine powder into the sewage without knowing that it will cause issues,” said Mr Tan in a Facebook post.
Thankfully, there were no students at the premises at the time of the incident. The authorities have reported no injuries either but hospitalised the maintenance worker as a preventive measure.
Speaking further, Mr Tan said, “We are working closely with authorities as we recognise our responsibility here, to safeguard further precautionary steps to ensure the safety of our staff, students and the members of public.”
A high amount of chlorine powder can be extremely reactive, which is likely to have been the issue in this case. The loud sound alarmed residents and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted immediately.
“A loud sound alarmed neighbouring residents. We apologise for that,” Mr Tan added.
No Damage To The Sewer System
According to the report, the sewer system remains unaffected by the discarded chlorine powder, as inspected by the PUB. There was no damage to the sewerage system.
The quality of used water remains unaffected and has been sent to the PUB’s water reclamation plants for treatment. But, the PUB is still investigating the incident.
Swimming School Remains Unaffected
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The incident has had no effect on the swimming school, which will continue to run its operations as normal. Meanwhile, the school has instructed the waste management company to remove the drum from the premises altogether.
You may know that the Happy Fish Swim School has five branches in Singapore and organises classes for children from as young as four-months-old. It has both group and private-class options available.
Mr Tan also urged residents affected by the incident to notify the school immediately.
Side Effects Of Chlorine In Swimming Pools
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While no casualties were reported in this incident, parents must still be wary of places they send their little ones to swim.
Small amounts of chlorine does not have any effect on you unless you have an extremely sensitive skin. However, an over-chlorinated pool can cause several issues including:
- Eye irritation
- Dry skin and hair
- Itching skin
- Sores or blisters
Which is why, even though swimming is an excellent physical exercise and survival skill that should be learnt from an early age, if you plan to regularly go out swimming in a public pool here are some tips that you need to follow:
- Always shower before and after swimming
- Do not allow children with pre-existing stomach problems to swim.
- Always use pools that have a filtration and recirculation system
- An advanced pool infrastructure promises a more accurate reading of chlorine levels in the water
- Regular quality management of the pool and refilling it with fresh water
- Avid swallowing the water when in a pool
Remember to be careful before you step into the water. Take all the necessary precautions and teach your kids the same.
Source: CNA
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