Health Effects of Chlorine
Chlorine has long been known for its toxic health effects. Chlorine gas in its pure form can cause symptoms ranging from irritation of the eyes, to coughing and vomiting, to death. The toxicity of chlorine lead to it being deployed as the first lethal chemical weapon in World War I.
The health effects caused by chlorine in pools are more subtle, but no less insidious. When added to water, chlorine can mix with other compounds to create carcinogenic rihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids or harmful chloroform gas.
The links between THMs and haloacetic acids and cancers such as bladder and colon cancer are strong enough that the United States EPA felt it was necessary to limit their quantities in tap water. There are no regulations for these compounds in swimming pools though and they are usually found in much higher concentrations than in tap water.
THMs aren't the only dangerous byproduct of chlorine. Numerous studies have linked exposure to compounds such as chloroform in pools to asthma and other breathing difficulties. One study presented to the American College of Sports Medicine showed that in pools chlorinated to recommended levels, over 60 percent of participants suffered from exercise induced asthma. Another study showed that swimming in chlorinated pools can have as much of an impact on lung permeability as being a heavy smoker. Further studies have linked childhood exposure to chlorine to increased levels of adult allergies, such as hay fever.
In addition to these long term health effects are the more benign, yet still irritating, effects we're all familiar with, such as stinging eyes and itchy skin. It's easy to see then, why so many people are making the transition away from harmful chlorine to products such as the Barramundi Pools chemical free and salt free sanitization system.