By Angela Epstein
The Hidden Dangers of Chlorine in Swimming Pools
Chlorine is widely used in swimming pools to keep the water clean and free from bacteria. However, it is a potent irritant, especially for those with eczema. This common skin condition affects millions of Britons, preventing them from enjoying swimming, a healthy and affordable leisure activity. But the impact of chlorine goes beyond skin irritation. Some studies have found that chlorine can significantly increase the risk of asthma in children, by up to six times.
Rising Concerns About Chlorine
There is growing evidence that exposure to chlorine and other airborne chemicals could be contributing to the rise in inherited allergies over the past 50 years. These chemicals may alter an unborn child’s immune system, making them more sensitive to conditions such as eczema, asthma, and hay fever.
The Impact on Children
Babies are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing, and they often swallow water while swimming. A study of 50 elite athletes, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that almost all of the swimmers had inflamed lung tissue, with those spending the most time in the pool showing the most changes. This suggests a link to chlorine exposure, as the toxic by-products of chlorine settle at surface level, right where swimmers breathe.
The Need for Cleaner Pools
While more research is needed, it’s clear that many people avoid swimming due to the irritation caused by chlorine. Swimming pools need strong disinfectants to stay clean, but we also need to encourage people to exercise, given the rising rates of obesity.
A Better Solution: Ozone Filtration
To address this issue, we should consider switching from chlorine to ozone filtration. Ozone gas, a form of oxygen, is pumped into the water, where it reacts immediately with contaminants, keeping the water clean without producing skin-irritating by-products. Ozone filtration is equally, if not more, effective than chlorine and is much kinder to the skin.
The Benefits of Ozone Filtration
- No Harmful By-products: Unlike chlorine, ozone doesn’t produce chloramines, which are responsible for eye and nose irritation, skin problems, and the typical swimming pool smell.
- Effective Cleaning: Ozone acts as a flocculant, causing contaminants to remain suspended so they can be easily removed by standard water filtration.
- Cost-effective: Although the initial installation cost is higher, ozone filtration can reduce ongoing operating and maintenance costs.
The Need for Legislative Change
Despite the clear benefits, only a handful of public pools in London and two in Yorkshire use ozone filtration. Legislative action is needed to require public pools to switch to this superior cleaning system. Unfortunately, efforts to lobby MPs have met with little success.
Conclusion
It’s time to make a change. The benefits of ozone filtration are clear, and the cost of not making this switch is high. Children who avoid swimming due to eczema are being discriminated against, and the potential health risks of chlorine are too significant to ignore.
Andrew Wright, a professor of dermatology at the University of Bradford, emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue to protect our children’s health and ensure everyone can enjoy swimming without harm.
For more detailed information, you can read the full article here.
