Mary,
The chlorine in you pool is definitely toxic!!!!!!

Why not try non-chlorine treatments for your pool like the product made by Aqua Pure? It is called Chlor-Free and you can go to www.chlorfree.com to get more info. I buy it from a local pool supply store for use in our backyard above-ground pool. 

The product uses copper salts to coagulate the crud and your filter sucks it out. It is safe enough for fish to swim in it (the  company owner has had koi in his pool for three years)....

Good luck,
Beth