Toxic smells are all part of the job. It's an unavoidable occupational hazard. However, you should be aware of some of the more dangerous smells so you don't fall into harm's way.
#1 on the list would be Trichlor tablets in a small body of water. This can happen when the lid of a Trichlor tablet bucket is not secure, and water gets into the bucket. Or this could happen when a Trichlor chlorinator is full of tablets, but they fail to dissolve, and you remove the lid. Since Thrichlor is made up of chlorine and acid (Cyanuric Acid), the smell is likened to Mustard Gas used in WWI and can be overwhelming and debilitating. It can cause your lungs to stop working and, depending on how much you have to breathe in, could become a medical emergency.
There was one member of my group who suffered lung damage and, for months, could not take a deep breath after opening a Trichlor bucket that was full of tablets and water. Be extremely cautious when opening a Trichlor tablet bucket at one of your stops if the following is true:
You just took over the service account and did not deliver the bucket yourself.
It is the rainy season, and you are still determining if water has gotten into the bucket.
You come upon a bucket without a lid on it
The bucket looks very old and weather-worn
You suspect water might be in the bucket
For the In-line or Off-line Trichlor tablet feeder/chlorinator:
The chlorine reading is 0.0, but you know the chlorinator has tablets.
It is a new service account, and you have never opened the lid before
You open the top and see intact tablets after one week
After removing the cover, you smell a strong chemical odor
I caution that whenever you remove the Trichlor Feeder lid, you are not standing directly over it, nor do I suggest looking into it from now on. Always open it at arm's length and then wait a few seconds to make sure that there is no strong chemical smell.
Other odors to be aware of are dead rodents, birds, or lizards. These can give off very little odor while in the pool skimmer or floating in the pool and sitting on the bottom. Once you pull them out, however, the smell can be overpowering. The same goes for earthworms at the bottom of a pool. Be prepared for a horrible smell. Although it is not toxic, it still can be overpowering.
A strange chemical smell from the pool water itself can be Chloramines. Chloramines are chemical compounds formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter like sweat, urine, and other bodily fluids. They can create a strong, unpleasant odor commonly associated with "pool smell." To reduce chloramines:
Maintain proper water chemistry: Regularly test and adjust the pH and chlorine levels in the pool.
Use shock treatment: Superchlorination (or "shocking" the pool) can help break down chloramines and restore water clarity.
Encourage proper hygiene: Encourage swimmers to shower before entering the pool and to avoid urinating in the water.
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