Quote Originally Posted by CarlD View Post
Chlorine--Regular or Ultra unscented, non-sudsing, non-gelling bleach--Chlorox now has an added whitener that MAY or may NOT be good for pool water--so stay with the house brands.
Carl,

I wrote to Clorox about this and here is their response:

In April 2005 we added sodium polyacrylate. This is a polymer that binds to the minerals in the wash water. This helps prevent the minerals from reacting with the bleach and yellowing the clothes. This additive should have no effect in the use of the product in swimming pools.

This link shows a cool video about the absorbency of sodium polyacrylate which is used in many disposable diapers. In pool water, this polymer will not absorb water in the way shown because ions in the water (such as salt, bicarbonate, etc.) interact with water more readily than the polymer.

It appears that the polymer is a scale inhibitor (see this link) by inhibiting the rate of formation of calcium carbonate particles. This may mean that it adheres to pool plaster surfaces.

I wrote to Clorox with my concern that this additive could sequester calcium and that it could build up over time in pools. I'll let y'all know what I find out when I hear back from them.

Richard