photo credit: Chrispitality
The heat is here to stay for a while and many of us find pools and beaches quite appealing right now. However, have you ever wondered what effects chlorine that all the pools contain has on our health? Granted, it’s not safe to swim in bacteria and pathogen-filled pools but chlorine isn’t necessarily safe either.
When chlorine comes in contact with organic matter, it may release harmful substances, such as dioxins, furans and trihalomethanes, known human carcinogens. They biodegrade slowly and build up in the bodies of animals and humans. Trihalomethanes (e.g. chloroform) increase the risk of cancer, may damage the liver, kidneys and the nervous system, and may cause miscarriages and birth defects. Moreover, they all can be inhaled and absorbed through skin. Likewise, pools with too much chlorine can cause eye and skin irritation as well as respiratory problems.
Unfortunately, giving up chlorine is not really an option for it does kill the harmful bacteria found in the water, for instance E. coli, Giardia, Cryptosporidium etc. Public pools are required to keep the water healthy and bacteria and pathogen-free, and the best way to keep them that way is to use chlorine. However, the residential pools follow slightly different regulations and therefore it’s up to the owner to decide what method they want to employ.
So, what can you do to keep your pool clean and make environmentally conscious decisions as far as its maintenance? Here are a few tips:
- Do not use too much chlorine and test your water to check its level frequently.
- Stay away from chlorinated tablets since they produce high concentration of chlorine therefore increasing the health risks.
- Reduce the organic matter in your pool by using covers, removing leaves and dead insects frequently.
- Try to swim in outdoor pools or indoor pools with good ventilation. Poor ventilation is said to create more harmful effects.
- Don’t swim in highly chlorinated pools every day since it can lead to an accumulation of trihalomethanes and chlorine by-products in your system.
- Avoid swimming vigorously. It enhances your chances of inhaling trihalomethanes thus developing respiratory problems.
Last, but not least, reduce your exposure to chlorine and chlorine byproducts by using filters on your kitchen faucets and shower heads, as well as using pitchers to hold your drinking water so some of the chlorine it may contain can evaporate.
