A Long Island homeowner was hospitalized May 15 after a swimming pool chlorinator exploded during a chemical reaction involving multiple chlorine products inside the feeder, according to the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office.
The incident occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. at a home on Shore Road in Oceanside, New York.
According to fire officials, a 59-year-old homeowner placed two different brands of powdered pool shock into a chlorine feeder that already contained chlorine tablets, then sealed the feeder closed.
Investigators said the chemicals reacted inside the confined feeder environment, creating pressure that caused the unit to explode.
The homeowner suffered chemical burns to his face and chemical injuries to his right eye and was transported to Nassau University Medical Center.
According to reports, the reaction was still active when firefighters arrived. Nassau County officials said chlorine gas continued emitting from the backyard while approximately 30 firefighters and a hazardous materials team worked to stabilize the scene.
Officials also said that the chemicals had spread across portions of the backyard and were still “actively reacting” during the emergency response.
The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office said the reaction involved two powdered shock products containing different active ingredients mixed together inside the feeder along with chlorine tablets.
Officials emphasized that pool shock products are designed to be added directly to the body of pool water, where thousands of gallons of water dilute the chemicals. In this case, the reaction occurred inside a sealed feeder chamber containing only a small amount of water.
The incident highlights a longrecognized hazard in the pool industry involving incompatible chlorine products inside enclosed feeders and chlorinators. Pool chemical manufacturers and service organizations have long warned against mixing different sanitizer types or introducing chemicals into feeders not specifically designed for them.
Officials did not identify the specific products involved or the feeder manufacturer.
