Everyone knows that swimming is an excellent pastime, and an exercise of high quality. But the question remains – are the pools we swim in safe?
Most public pools are sanitized through chlorine. Although chlorine has a history as a particularly powerful poison, its crystalline equivalent breaks down into two distinct oxidizing compounds when coming in contact with water.
These can be harmful in high levels to humans, but under what is considered the safe guidelines for chlorine use – 1.4 milligrams per liter of water in a recreational pool – chlorine is meant only to kill bacteria and prevent algae from growing, by invading the cell walls of pathogens and algae alike and shutting them down.
However, despite the general assurances that chlorine is safe, reports since the 70s have shown that there is evidence to the contrary. As per LiveStrong, the strongest evidence points towards damage in our more delicate membranes.
How Chlorine Can Affect the Body
Too much chlorine, either due to misuse or poor regulation, attacks our eyes, skin and hair. The general guideline for chlorine content in pool water is the pH level of the water – between 7.4 and 8, where 7 is neutral, 0 is highly acidic, and 14 is highly basic. 7.4 is roughly the pH of human tears.
However, even regular amounts of chlorine can lead to problems in the body. As per the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, chlorine sensitivity is a real thing – and it may indirectly contribute to respiratory issues and skin irritation. Frequent swimming, according to the organization, increases the risk of developing asthma.
Alternatives Are Available
In the face of chlorine allergy, companies like Clearwater Pool Systems have developed effective measures to reduce or eliminate the use of chlorine in pools. Two effective measures include the use of ozone, which dissipates quickly, and metal ion particles, which aren’t harmful to human health but aren’t enough to clear out all the pathogens in a pool on their own.
