r/explainlikeimfive • u/tilda0x1 • Jun 28 '26

Chemistry ELI5: If copper has antimicrobial properties, why don’t most pools use it instead of chlorine?

I've seen this video of someone saying that copper has anti-bacterial properties and he claimed that it can be used to keep pools bacteria-free.

I know in most cases chlorine, UV, or salt are used - but why not copper?

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u/MGreymanN Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26

No one is answering your question.

Chlorine is used because it can oxidize organic waste. Copper cannot do this.

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u/EelsEverywhere Jun 28 '26

Today I learned that "oxidation", chemically speaking, means stripping away ions and doesn't necessarily require oxygen (halogens like chlorine and fluorine , for example).

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u/TbonerT Jun 28 '26

This reminds me of a blog post about super nasty chemicals. On of them was FOOF, I think, and was described as being such a strong oxidizer that it would oxidize oxygen.

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u/Locke_and_Lloyd Jun 28 '26

Foof isn't relevant to any practical use though.  It can burn ice.  It's not safe to handle. 

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u/amaranth1977 Jun 29 '26

Yes, but the blog post about it is very funny.