Is Your Swimming Pool Bad for Your Health?

During the summer months many of us spend time swimming whether it's in our own pool or a public pool. It can be nice to take a dip in a cool swimming pool on a hot summer day. This is especially true in Arizona, where it can get as hot as 120 degrees during the summer months. Phoenix is actually one of the hottest cities in the United States, and it seems as though just about everyone has a pool here. Yet have you ever thought that swimming in a chlorinated pool could be bad for your health? We are exposed to large amounts of chlorine from showing and even more from swimming pools.

The main problem with chlorine is that it absorbs into your skin. It can cause your skin and hair to dry out and over time too much exposure can even cause wrinkles. When pools are indoors toxic gases are released such as nitrogen trichloride which can be very dangerous. When we breathe in this gas it can cause severe damage to the lining of the lungs which could lead to respiratory problems or asthma. This toxic gas can be harmful at any age yet it poses the most risk to elderly people and small children. An outdoor chlorinated pool is much safer because the majority of this gas is eliminated in the air.

It is vital for indoor swimming pools to have good ventilation in order to get rid of these harmful gases. Another solution is to swim in pools that use other forms of water treatment besides chlorine. Other options include ultra filtration, salt water, or ozone.

Facts about Chlorine

1). Chlorine has been used in chemical warfare. Huge concentrated amounts of it have been sprayed people during war.

2). Chlorine is a known carcinogen, meaning that it has been linked to cancer!

3). Chlorine is used to bleach paper white, and the manufacturing process contributes to environmental problems that lead to polluted water, and other toxic organic chemicals entering the environment.

4). Nearly every human being has levels of chlorine in their blood.

5). Too much exposure to chlorine has been linked to major health problems, cancer, reproductive disorders, and even birth defects.

We are also exposed to chlorine just from showering. I wrote another article about bathing in chlorine, and healthy alternatives which should be published soon on Associated Content.