For those who aren’t aware, many public and private swimming pools commonly use chlorine to kill bad bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause infections and certain illnesses. While this is good for hygiene, chlorine is also toxic to your health if it gets into your body.
If you swim in a pool treated with chlorine long enough, your skin will absorb some of the chlorine, which can lead to problems such as disrupting your body’s microbiome, causing skin irritations, other skin problems, thyroid issues, and even more serious health concerns like cancer.
Because of this, you want to limit your exposure to chlorine. So, let’s see how toxic it is to swim in chlorine-treated pools!
The Shocking Truth About Chlorine Levels in Pools
After using an EPA-approved test to check out the chlorine levels in a community swimming pool, the results were shocking! For the test, I dipped my testing strip in the pool water and used the chlorine test to determine how much chlorine my skin would absorb if I swam in the water.
Here are the results:
👉 After grabbing fresh pool water and measuring according to the instructions, the chlorine level was about 0.4-0.6 ppm (on the low side of normal, which is good).
👉 I then put my hand in the fresh pool water sample for 30 seconds…
👉 I immediately took another reading, and the levels dropped to about 0.1 ppm. Therefore, it is likely that most chlorine in the water is being absorbed and/or reacting with the skin on your body (~80% of the chlorine)!
Tips to Limit Toxic Exposure to Chlorine
To keep you and your kids safe from chlorine exposure this summer, here are some practical tips:
✅ Take a Shower Before You Get in the Pool: This will lower disinfection byproducts (DBPs) on your skin, reducing the amount of chlorine your skin can absorb.
✅ Apply Coconut Oil: Coconut oil acts as a natural barrier, protecting your skin from absorbing chlorine.
✅ Limit Time in the Water: The less time you spend in the chlorinated water, the less chlorine your skin will absorb.
✅ Reduce Frequency of Swimming: Limit swimming in chlorinated pools to once a week or less to minimize chlorine buildup in your body.
✅ Shower with Soap and Water After Swimming: This helps remove any residual chlorine from your skin, reducing its harmful effects.
By taking these simple precautions, you can enjoy your pool time while minimizing the health risks of chlorine exposure. Stay safe, and have a great summer!
It is crucial to raise awareness about the potential risks of chlorine in swimming pools while providing actionable steps to protect yourself and your family. Remember, making informed choices about your environment and health is key to a non-toxic lifestyle. Enjoy your summer swimming sessions responsibly!
References:
- ERIC W. MOOD, M.P.H. Effect of Free and Combined Available Residual Chlorine upon Bacteria in Swimming Pools*.Lecturer in Public Health, Yale University, and Director, Bureau of Environmental Sanitation, New Haven Health Department, New Haven, Conn.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1528454/pdf/amjphnation01019-0088.pdf
- Ratajczak, Katarzyna, and Aneta Pobudkowska. “Pilot Test on Pre-Swim Hygiene as a Factor Limiting Trihalomethane Precursors in Pool Water by Reducing Organic Matter in an Operational Facility.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 20, Oct. 2020, p. 7547. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17207547.
- Lin, Tzu-Kai, et al. “Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 19, no. 1, Dec. 2017, p. 70. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070.