Re: a shortcut maybe (or maybe not)

>Ammonia and chlorine bleach in a toilet will go "boom," I've always >heard.
>- -Kelly
>> I think we've found a way to get rid of weeds coming up between the
>> bricks around the pool:  ammonia!
<snip>
>> Anyone heard of this before?  And is there any reason not to do this,
>> like the ammonia and the chlorine from the pool water mixing somehow 
>>and
>> making a deadly chemical?
 
> Isabelle Hayes

 Kelly, Isabelle, Here's a little info. It doesn't answer everything
but it's a start. Doesn't go 'boom' in the toilet, it makes a deadly
chemical you can't smell but that can fell you before you even realise
you've breathed it (and no one wants to die with their head in the
toilet so please don't).  Very important to keep the two apart in
household uses . . . not sure if it applies around pools, though.
Would depend if the two things are chemically changed in contact with
the ground or not. Any chemists out there? Ammonia on the ground in
weak amounts makes the green parts of the plants grow like mad--it's
some relation to the liquid fertiliser they spray on the fields,
ammonium nitrate (notice: nitrate), right? But since this is also how
Roundup works (accelerates growth) perhaps you're on to something.
However, recall that it's also liquid fertiliser that can also be made
into devastating bombs too (as in Oklahoma City) so careful handling
is definitely called for. 

Additionally, I believe the combination of pool chemicals with cola
drinks (not sure if it's the acid in it or something specific to colas
or what) is supposed to be explosive or corrosive or a poison-
gas-making or something scary. I seem to recall the experience of a
woman who bought pool chemicals and accidentally sloshed a cola drink
on the chlorine while she was driving home who ended up in serious
trouble. 

Don't ever recall that one appearing on the Snopes page, so I presume
it's not an Urban Legend.

Bottom line: both can be dangerous chemicals in the wrong setting, so
take care what you slosh around or combine until you can get more
expert information than mine.

Melis

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