Swim Happy: Public Pool Risks & Renovations
By Tiffany
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Comments
Firstly, thanks for the reminder. I’m a frequent swimmer. I swim at least once per week at the pool near my house and my body skin often feels itchy after that. I’m worried after reading the risks… I think I have to go for a body check up.
■First things first. Don’t pee in the pool.
I like this rule but this is the hardest rule for the public. You people who read this, please don’t pee in the pool!
It’s true! I find it difficult to rid the chlorine stench off my body after swimming in a public pool; algae is a natural microorganism that could truly keep pool water clean. Thanks for the great advice!
Chlorination of the pools? Would that kill all those germs and suffice every swimmers? Maybe there are side-effects on using it.
The National Cancer Institute has stated that there is no proof that chlorinated water causes bladder cancer in people (http://bit.ly/aDa4sU). Great Britain’s National Health Service reviewed the study and subsequent media coverage and found that the study did not directly examine any potential link between chlorinated swimming pool water and a greater risk of cancer or look at any other particular health outcomes in people (http://bit.ly/c5H2E8). As such, it is difficult to gauge from this study the actual effects on human health.
The World Health Organization has long supported the use of chlorine-based pool disinfectants in eliminating waterborne germs and contaminants introduced by swimmers: “The risks from exposure to chlorination by-products in reasonably well managed swimming pools would be considered small and must be set against benefits of aerobic exercise and risks in the absence of disinfection.”
Best,
Mary
Mary Ostrowski
American Chemistry Council
Thank you, Mary. I believe the research is looking at prolonged exposure to chlorine most often found in avid swimmers. Feel free to review the original research that the report refers to, as I am not a toxicologist myself. I believe they mention a specific type of cancer in the report, but I don’t believe it’s bladder cancer.
Chlorine can be helpful to eliminate bacteria and the like, I think that we sometimes misunderstand its impact on nature though. Water management systems use chlorine to clean the water, then use de-chlor to take out the chlorine, so I think there is something to be said for more natural disinfectants such as algae and gray water systems though.
I think we need to be able to think outside of the box to understand the synergies within ecosystems that we actively participate, and this is one example where a chemical provides a temporary solution for immediate danger. But as we are learning there can be more long-term consequences to synthetic-based solutions. As the report states chlorine when appropriately managed and supplemented with other cleaning agents is fine.
Algae may provide a better solution than fine though based on research and what cities are discovering via cost-savings, healthier swimming areas, and happier swimmers altogether.
Thank you for weighing and providing additional information to help us understand the risks and non-risks associated with chlorine.
This is quite surprising. I had no idea that many possible risks existed in swimming pools. I haven’t swam in many years other than once at a hotel on a trip. I hope more and more pools are cleaned with algae as not only is it not harmful but it will be a more enjoyable experience too.
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Wow Tiffany that is some really scary stuff, and to think I just went to a water park yesterday… just kind of gives me the chills when I read things like these.
Till then,
Jean