A tragic incident occurred in São Paulo's Zona Leste, where a woman's death was linked to the improper mixing of cleaning products used in pool maintenance. During a swimming lesson at a local gym, chlorine gas was released due to a chemical reaction involving calcium hypochlorite, dichloroisocyanurate, and an acid used to adjust the pool's pH. This reaction created a dangerous yellow-green gas, which is highly toxic when not handled correctly.

Experts from the Chemistry Institute of the University of São Paulo highlighted how vital it is to use these chemicals with caution. They demonstrated through controlled experiments that combining these substances without the necessary precautions can lead to the unsafe release of chlorine gas. The incident raises critical concerns regarding safety protocols in public swimming facilities, particularly in the handling and application of pool chemicals.

This incident not only underscores the immediate health risks posed to individuals using these facilities but also emphasizes the importance of educating staff about proper chemical handling to prevent such tragedies in the future. As public awareness grows, regulatory bodies may need to revisit safety standards in swimming pool maintenance to ensure the protection of public health.