CYA - Harmful?

[FattyLumpkin]

Hi all - Just had my pool opened, and noticed the CYA was a tad low @ 50. I threw some in a sock and let it sit in the skimmer, squeezing it yesterday a couple times. The pump was off overnight, and I went out in the morning to check on things. The pump fired up, and within about 10 seconds, I reached into the skimmer barehanded to squeeze the sock. I didn't immediately notice anything, but now I see 6-7 brownish marks on my hand, but no other symptoms. No burning, blistering, nothing. I had thought that possibly the concentration of CYA had increased while it sat overnight in the skimmer, and I didn't give it enough time to clear out before reaching my hand in. The sock had a decal on it, and I'm wondering if the brown is just from that? I have scrubbed it, scraped it, and it is not coming off. Has me slightly concerned, I guess.

I realize this was 1) probably stupid, and 2) that this isn't a medical forum, but I'm wondering, in general, is it safe to squeeze the sock? I also understand that most recommend hanging it in front of a return, which I did not do.

Anyway, curious on others' input on this. Thanks.

 

[kellyfair]

I spent 40 minutes with my CYA sock, squeezing the daylights out of it until it all dissolved. No skin issues. I’m going to say probably decal, and probably temporary. Did you wash your hands thoroughly after? Might try a mild lotion too, like lubriderm or something similar.

 

[mknauss]

I have never had any issues with squeezing a sock full of CYA powder. It is mildly acidic, so if you are very sensitive to that it could dry out your hands.

I would suspect the brown is dye that stained your had from the decal. Will wear off with time.

Take care.

 

[FattyLumpkin]

Thank you both!

 

[jblizzle]

Well ... I have never had a problem on my hands, but the last few times I have added CYA there are some brown spots that have appeared on my white athletic socks. Almost look like rust. Seems to only be on the part of the socks that were holding the CYA and in the water. I was thinking there was just something in the CYA bottle that should not have been.

 

[camueller]

I avoid touching the sock when I add CYA because it dries my hands out. No other problems though.

 

[JamesW]

The silver nitrate reagent for the K-1766 salt test creates brown stains that don't come off.

The cyanuric acid won't cause any harm from squeezing the sock. It's a very weak acid.

 

[jblizzle]

The silver nitrate reagent for salt test creates brown stains that don't come off.

This is certainly true and the stain on your skin is delayed a bit after you get it on you.

 

[FattyLumpkin]

I had just performed a salt test just prior to squeezing the sock! I'm guessing that is it... there's a bit of crusty material on the salmon/brown reagent that I notice gets on my hand a bit. I'll be that it's -- thanks to all for the insights!!!

 

[JamesW]

Definitely the silver nitrate.