Swimming Pools May Be Harmful to Your Health, Tests Show

We are right in the middle of summer and it is a hot one this year. To help stay cool, millions of Americans are flocking to swimming pools. A study shows that dip in the pool may have a negative impact on your health.

The study shows that, "swimmers have detectable levels of a potentially dangerous chlorine byproduct called haloacetic acids (HAAs) in their urine within 30 minutes of a swim," reports WebMD.

HAA levels in our drinking water is monitored and limited by the Environmental Protection Agency. This is because high amounts are believed to be linked to cancer and birth defects. HAA and other byproducts arise when chlorine, and other disinfectants, react with any impurities present in the water.

"More than 90 percent of the HAA exposures likely occurred as a result of swallowing pool water; the remaining were due to inhalation or were absorbed through the skin," reports KTVQ.com.

You can do things to protect yourself from being exposed to pools with high levels of HAA. For any pools you personally own, you can purchase test strips to measure acidity or pH and chlorine levels in your pool. If your pool water does not fall within the range deemed acceptable, do not swim until it does. You can also take these strips with you to public pools and test the water of public pools before diving in to make sure the water is safe for you and your family.

Even if the water is at an acceptable level, keep your mouth closed when swimming and avoid ingesting pool water. Swallowing pool water is the number one cause of exposure, so not swallowing the water will greatly reduce your risk. While it is unclear how beneficial it is, some believe that washing off after a swim may help as well since a small portion of exposure occurs due to absorption through the skin.

The research on HAAs and how they may affect your health are still unclear as the research is still in its infancy. However, the researchers conclude, "there is little data about HAAs in swimming pools since they are still not regulated in many parts of the world." Due to the lack of research, swimmers have to take the risk in their own hands and take a few precautions to help reduce their risk as much as possible.

R. Elizabeth C. Kitchen began her career in health care in 2002, when she began nursing school. She is now a full-time medical writer with expertise in a variety of health fields, specifically trauma, public health, cancer, infectious disease, women's health, and research. She combines her education, experience, and passion for health and medicine to influence her writing.