dirty swimming pool

Are Swimming Pool Chemicals Harmful?

Good weather is finally here and for us, this means spending more time outdoors and enjoying time in the water with your family and friends. Swimming pools are a great place for that, but there are some things you should know before diving in. Let’s take a look at it!

 

The purpose of chemicals.

There are several different chemicals found in swimming pool water. One of these is the dreaded chlorine. Chlorine is an essential ingredient in most pools used as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and viruses and keep the water safe for swimmers. By oxidizing the water, also removes organic matter from the pool. Moreover, it effectively prevents algae from growing. Easily obtainable in tablets, liquid, and powder forms, chlorine serves its intended purpose well. If there isn’t enough chlorine in the pool, then the water will become dirty and unsafe.  

 

The use of chlorine in swimming pools can cause health problems.

If you swim regularly at a pool, you should be aware of the chemicals used there. When chlorine contacts water, hypochlorous acid is formed. As a consequence of chlorine treatment in the pool, chloramines end up forming, which is described as the chlorination process. Not only do chloramines have a terrible smell but it is important to keep in mind that it poses some health risks largely causing eye irritation, skin rashes, breathing problems, and even asthma attacks.

The following are the most common side effects of exposure to chlorine.

Skin Irritation.

People who swim in chlorinated water often develop redness, itching, and peeling of the skin. This condition is called chlorine dermatitis. It usually occurs within 24 hours after exposure to the chemical.

Eye Irritation.

In addition to causing skin irritation, exposure to chlorine can cause eye irritation and over-dilated blood vessels in the eyes

Respiratory issues

Exposure to chlorine can irritate the respiratory system. This includes the nose, throat, lungs, and airways making breathing difficult. If you suffer from asthma or other respiratory illnesses, you should avoid using chlorine in your pool.

 

You should always test your pool water before using it.

The pH balance in your pool is a very important indicator to test your water. A healthy balance between acidity and alkalinity is necessary for good health. Too much acidity (low pH) can lead to the corrosion of metals, such as pipes and pumps. Too much alkalinity (high pH) can cause burns and irritation. Thus, it is recommended that you use a pH meter to check the pH level of your pool water. A pH level between 7.2 and 8.5 is considered safe.

In addition, if your pool water looks greenish, it might mean there's too much chloramine present. This is a chemical compound formed when chlorine reacts with ammonia. Ammonia is naturally found in urine and feces, so it's not surprising that it's also found in swimming pools.

 

Ways to keep chlorine from irritation

During the summer months, there can be negative effects on your skin from chlorine. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Following a swim, shower to get rid of all the chemicals on your skin. As long as chlorine stays on the skin, it irritates it more. By thoroughly cleaning, you'll ensure your skin isn't exposed to chlorine and therefore, your skin's negative effects will be minimized.

After swimming, moisturize your skin to replenish some of the moisture lost by chlorine. This will help reduce the drying effects of the chemicals.

After exposure to chlorinated water, apply vitamin C to your skin to neutralize chlorine and chloramines.

You can use alternative pool chemicals if you own your own pool or hot tub. The most common are bromine, ionizers, and ozonators. While they still need chlorine, they have a much lower requirement. Even though the cost of these solutions tends to be higher than that of chlorine, they could be worth saving your health.

 

Aqualys' smart solution for your pool

Fortunately, too many harmful chemicals in your pool can be easily corrected cheaply and sustainably. This can be done thanks to a water vitalizer. At Aqualy we have a special vitalizer designed for closed circuits like swimming pools, fountains, or spas where the use of chemicals and cleaning products can be reduced by 50% or more.

This technology does not add or remove any substances. When the water in the circuit and the back feed is treated with the EWO vitalization technology, all the natural effects to which water responds so well are simulated by technology and the water behaves hyper-efficiently. This response to the need for less amount of chemicals for the same result. Besides, once installed in the pipe, is maintenance-free and it helps also with the reduction of existing limescale, coatings, mud, and other deposits plus the prevention of new deposits which will lead to fewer technical problems in the future and save you tons of time.

 

Even though chlorine is a highly effective sanitizing solution, there are still downsides to it. The best way to avoid chlorine is to not use it, but even if you cannot avoid it, you should be aware of the risks and do your best to limit irritation if you have to go through it.

If you notice any signs of skin irritation, burning eyes, coughing, or other symptoms after using the pool, then you need to immediately stop using it. This will prevent further damage to your body. When in doubt about medical skin care, the best thing to do is to consult a dermatologist.

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