By Rustina, Contributing Writer
Have you ever wondered what is really lurking in public pool water? Over the years, the debate about the safety of pool water became more diverse. At one time, the research was only on the chemicals used to clean the water. Now, they are realizing there are other concerns. These include what’s in the tap water itself, the contamination from other swimmers’ skin (think sunscreen), and more.
The conversations started off very promising with studies coming out and concerns being considered. Then, sensationalism happened. The old “oh, we swam in it, and we are fine!” dismissal tones to “don’t – you will give your child cancer if you let them go in the water!” Let’s take the dismissal and guilt out while we talk about it one concern at a time!
Risks of Pool Maintenance Chemicals
Swimming in the local public pool with family and friends shouldn’t feel worrisome. It should just be a time for good, clean fun! Keeping pools clean can take quite a bit of work, though. To keep the water safe from bacteria, viruses, algae, and other toxins, strong chemicals are used to disinfect the water.
Chlorine
Disinfectants work by breaking the chemical bonds that hold the toxin together. The most common disinfectant used is chlorine. There have been a lot of studies done over the years to help determine the necessary amount of chlorine. For example, how much chlorine really needs to be used? How often does it need to be added to stay effective? How much stabilizer is required to regulate the chlorine dissipation? How much water replacement is needed per swimmer each day to keep the water safe? The local pool chemists have to do a lot of math and science to keep pools safe!
These levels have to be calculated carefully because chlorine is classified as an irritant, acute toxic, oxidizer, and an environmental hazard. It must be diluted and stabilized to a safer, but also effective level. Chlorine works by stealing the electrons holding the toxin together. This is called oxidation. This process creates a waste byproduct. Chlorine itself actually has no smell until it mixes with sweat, urine, or other chemicals; then, it creates the waste byproduct, chloramine, that has the characteristic scent.
Chlorine (and the many byproducts) can be absorbed through the skin, ingested with the water, and inhaled. Exposure to chlorine, at even low levels, can cause eye, skin, and lung irritation.
Because it opens the pores and removes the protective, natural oils on the skin, it can cause dry skin, rashes, burns, and blisters.
Between chlorine and its byproducts, there are many risks:
- Breathing issues
- Lung damage is possible at *usually* higher levels (some people are more sensitive and can react at lower levels as well).
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Other asthma-like symptoms
- Fluid to build up in the lungs
- and many more risks
Be sure to watch for symptoms and remove yourself (or child) from the chlorinated area immediately, shower thoroughly, and wash clothing. It may be good to talk to the pool staff about their pool maintenance processes. If nothing else, you will know what process doesn’t agree with your body so you can avoid it.
The presence of disinfection byproducts is being studied for its effect on the endocrine system. Endocrine disruptors alter our body’s hormones. That can lead to many concerns and a whole array of conditions when our body’s hormones become unbalanced. Here are some more studies discussing this still fairly new research into endocrine disruptors and byproducts:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31831230
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31689635/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412018310559
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.est.6b00808
Learn more about hormones imbalances in this FREE guide: https://www.earthley.com/product/what-no-one-tells-you-about-hormone-balance/
Bromine
Another common disinfectant is bromine. This chemical breaks apart the chemical bonds of toxins by forcing a change of the electron charge, a process called ionization. Bromine is a chlorine-based chemical. If you are sensitive to chlorine, you likely are sensitive to bromine as well. Bromine is said to be the “safer” option when meticulously maintained for warm water conditions that are not exposed to ultraviolet radiation making it more common in spas and indoor hot tubs.
Bromine is classified as corrosive, acute toxic, and an environmental hazard. It can be absorbed through the skin as well as ingested and inhaled. Like chlorine, it can cause dry skin, rashes, burns, watery eyes, acne, abdominal pain, and cardiac arrhythmia. If these signs occur, leave the area to fresher air immediately, shower thoroughly, and wash clothes.
One of the many alarming effects it can have on the body is its ability to displace iodine, disrupting the function of the thyroid. The thyroid is a major player in our body’s hormone maintenance, making bromine an endocrine disruptor, too. It is mentioned in section 13.1.1. of https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Bromine#section=Toxicological-Information as well as in this study from 2020 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7139484/.
Other Chemicals
Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) is common in many households for cleaning and disinfecting wounds. For pool cleaning it requires 35% hydrogen peroxide, often called “food grade.” It does need close monitoring of levels and additional cleaners to break up fungi and bacteria. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can (sometimes) fill that gap for outdoor pools. Because of this downfall and costs, most public pools do not utilize it.
Hydrogen peroxide can cause eye, skin, and respiratory issues as well. Exposure can lead to dizziness, headaches, rashes, burns, nasal/throat irritants, lung damage, eye damage, and vomiting. It is classified as a mutagen, meaning it can change the DNA of a cell. It is also classified as an endocrine disruptor.
That’s Not All…What ELSE is In Your Pool?
Like I mentioned earlier, there are other concerns about pools. That comes from the reaction of outside chemicals and organic matter to the disinfectant in the pool. The resulting chemical is called a disinfection byproduct, or a DBP. There have been over 600 DBPs identified in testing. While this may sound alarming, it does mean some of the power to reduce the danger is in our hands! That is a good thing.
Urine
In several studies testing public pools around the world, the highest levels of disinfection byproducts resulted from urea entering the pool water. Some urea is in sweat, but the vast majority comes from urine. In the studies conducted, they estimate that up to 1% of total pool volume may be urine!
If that wasn’t enough to gross you out, let’s talk about how it reacts to disinfectants. When urea (a nitrogen-rich molecule) reacts with chlorine, a DBP called trichloramine is created. Recognize the base of that word? Chloramine. Trichloramine also has that distinctive “pool” odor mentioned earlier.
DBPs are classified as volatile chemicals. Volatile means it is easily evaporated in the air at room temperature. Trichloramine was found in studies to be the most abundant volatile DBP. When inhaled, it has been linked to respiratory concerns such as (source):
- asthma
- acute/chronic lung disorders
- decreased pulmonary function
- nasal and throat irritation
- upper respiratory infections
Pool employees and professional swimmers with prolonged exposure rates have an increased risk of these concerns.
Not just urea in the urine is a concern, but other substances in urine such as artificial sweeteners and even caffeine can end up in the pool water. Some sweeteners are not absorbed at all by the body so they are completely excreted in urine. While sweeteners are not absorbed very well topically, there is still the possibility of swallowing them. (source)
Feces
The CDC estimates that for every 1,000 children visiting water parks, up to 22 pounds of feces may be in the water. Feces carry many possible bacterial, viral, parasitic, and other microbes that can cause disease and infections. A couple examples are E Coli and Cryptosporisium.
According to surveys conducted, many swimmers continue to go to public pools despite having diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common symptom with many of these toxins and also how they are spread. Many of these toxins may also require increasing the amount of disinfectant to destroy the toxin.
Sunscreen
With increasing skin cancer rates the past few decades, their recommendation for using sunscreen keeps increasing. More people are wearing sunscreen, reapplying frequently when swimming in the water, and even using it daily for months!
One common ingredients in mainstream sunscreen is avobenzone. This breaks down into multiple different chemicals during its reaction to the chlorine, ultraviolet radiation, and water. Up to 60 different DBPs have been recognized as a result of avobenzone’s reaction in chlorinated and brominated water.
Another common ingredient is octocrylene, which is often found in high concentrations (10% or more) of sunscreens. Here are some interesting studies on it:
- Impaired expression of genes related to metabolism and development in the brain linked to octocrylene: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24463256
- Octocrylene is a contact and photocontact allergen: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21504434/
- Octocrylene toxicity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34010734/
- Estrogenic toxicity from octocrylene: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32045793/
A disturbing note, these reaction are happening right there on the skin! The toxicity of many of these DBPs have not even been studied yet. The few that have, have shown their ability to be inhaled, ingested, and absorbed through the skin. As studies are continuing, hopefully we will learn more. Some show signs of being endocrine disruptors or mutagenic.
Even before DBPs are created from the sunscreens, many of the ingredients have less-than-desirable effects on humans and animals. These chemicals are mostly absorbed through the skin. For example, Benzophenone is another common ingredient in sunscreen that has been proven to bioaccumulate in humans (through urine testing in high concentration), and shows a strong link with women being diagnosed with endometriosis (a condition that is linked to hormones and on the rise). Like avobenzone, benzophenone is an endocrine disruptor.
Farm Runoff
Pools are originally filled with tap water, which presents its own set of concerns. Pesticides, herbicides, and other runoff chemicals add in another concern. Chemicals like altrazine and alachlor have been found in groundwater. Many areas have begun testing for this. If you do a search with your state and “well water testing,” then you should be able to learn more about your local water concerns. Do these react to disinfectants? Many are known to create DBPs. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations
At times, these are even more dangerous than the original chemical! Some have been linked to epigenetic tumor promoters, neuropathy, endocrine disruption, and muscle contractions in the heart and uterus.
Prescription Drugs
A couple of decades ago, the studies were showing that pharmaceutical drugs were showing up in water treatment plants and other sources of water, like pools. Drugs are not fully metabolized by the body. The remaining drugs are excreted through urine or stool and flushed into the water system – or worse, right into the pool! It can also be excreted through sweat. All these sources continue to build contamination. Unfortunately, there has also been a huge increase in pharmaceutical drugs being prescribed since a couple of decades ago.
In swimming pools, some drugs will be reduced by chlorination and possibly become DBPs, like acetaminophen and naproxen. There are other drugs that react very slowly to chlorine causing them to linger, such as ibuprofen, DEET, and caffeine. Multiple studies have shown that pharmaceuticals are being accumulated in pool water.
Now the question begs, can other pool goers absorb them while swimming? Studies show that there is a clear potential for inhalation, ingestion, and absorption. There seems to be a lack of studies that look closely at heavily prescribed drug’s potential to affect other swimmers.
How to Swim Safely
Okay, so that’s a lot about the risks of swimming pools! Does this mean you have to completely give up swimming this year – even on the hottest days of summer? Nope! There are ways to minimize the risks and still get to enjoy the water!
Ways to minimize the effects of public pools
Showering: Shower before entering a pool. This does 2 things to protect you:
- Wet, hydrated skin and hair can decrease how much disinfectant is absorbed by your cells.
- Washes away debris and chemicals, reducing the chances of DBP occurring.
Post-Swim Showering: Shower immediately after swimming to remove the disinfectant and any lingering DBPs as much as possible. Exfoliate both to remove dead skin cells that may have absorbed these chemicals and to help get the lymphatic system moving to detox any already absorbed toxins.
Moisturize: Replenish the good oils on your skin with a natural oil based moisturizer.
Avoid Toxins: Avoid wearing toxic lotions, sunscreens, soaps, and other harsh chemicals when entering the pool. Try natural sun lotions that help protect and support the skin. (Learn more about toxins in personal care products, and how to replace them: Summer care products and general personal care items)
If you suffer from a lingering issue after swimming, consider limiting exposure to chlorinated water.
Bodily Functions
- Do not pee or poo in the pool! Adults and children may need reminding, but this is very important.
- Do not drink the pool water.
Lotions and Sprays to Block Chlorine
Lotions and sprays are available on the market as well as homemade recipes that claim to protect the skin from chlorine while swimming. These commonly use a form of vitamin C (usually synthetic/isolated) to neutralize the chlorine and a thicker oily ingredient to protect the skin from chlorine’s drying action. Some mainstream products even utilize petroleum based ingredients for that!
When petroleum meets chlorine, the DBP hydrochloric acid is formed. This acid is corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes – it is one of the acids stomachs use to break down food. Inhaling this can cause respiratory tract irritation and inflammation.
Homemade recipes vary, but let’s take a look at this common neutralizing spray: Vitamin C powder usually mentioned as the isolated and processed portions of whole vitamin C, called ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate mixed with water. Hopefully, this water doesn’t have chlorine in it already, thus breaking down the ingredients before even hitting the pool.
When ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate meet chlorinated water, these break down with the chlorine to form hydrochloric acid and dehydroascorbic acid (in much smaller amounts compared to the other chemicals). There is not much information on how often one needs to reapply during swimming.
The lotion version usually suggests the same vitamin C components mixed with coconut oil. This is to prevent the chlorine from reaching the skin for a longer period. At this time, the research to prove or disprove this is not available.
While there are many topical products that claim to block the effects of chlorine, the research available shows that they either won’t work or could actually increase the risk posed by interacting with chlorine to form DBPs. I recommend skipping these.
Herbal Options to Protect Your Health
As mentioned, Vitamin C has the antioxidant properties to neutralize chlorine. One way to stay protected is to consume plenty of whole food vitamin C! Immune Aid works to help boost the immune system, prevent damage to cells, and support collagen production to keep the skin healthy. Camu camu fruit, acerola berries, and citrus fruits are great sources of whole vitamin C.
Replenish your skin and hair with natural oils like mango butter, apricot oil, or jojoba oil after thoroughly showering.
Support your body’s natural detox process – the liver, kidneys, lymphatics, and digestive system. This is an act you can benefit from all the time whether in the water or not! We use Liver Love, Vaccine Detox, Lymphatic Cream, and Gut Health Oil.
Home Pools
Home pools have become even more popular the last couple of years. Whether you have a small kiddie pool or a larger pool, dealing with toxins is necessary.
If the small pools are cleaned and refilled often, a good water filtration system may be all the equipment you need. Match that with teaching the little ones not to pee in there or put the pool water in their mouths and the risks should be low.
Salt water filters are an option for larger pools. Salt water filters do create chlorine to disinfect the pool, but it is at a much lower level than regular chlorine pools. That is because the chlorine is being slowly and continuously created. Whereas the other options are much higher amounts of chlorine at once with additional stabilizers to keep it regulated. When well maintained, salt water filter pools are more gentle on the skin and eyes. With less chlorine, there are lower quantities of DBPs as well.
And yet another positive of a home pool is that you know exactly who is swimming in it! Exposure to fewer people means less chance of contaminants.
Hose Filters
If you are filling your own pool with tap water, be sure to have a water filtration system. This will reduce the amount of incoming toxins. If a whole house isn’t an option at the moment, consider getting a filter for just the end of the hose. This hose filter removes bacteria and chlorine. These filters are made with the same types of materials as house filters and can remove chlorine, chloramine, and many of the other chemicals mentioned. The level of filtration varies to allow for faster flow and more specific filtering.
Lakes/Rivers
Swimming in nature’s pools has been a long tradition. With the ever growing amount of toxins sprayed, flushed, and buried, it is hard to know what leaks into the groundwater. As the water feeds the nearby lakes or rivers, toxins are being found all across the country. The local extension offices or, in some areas, online county websites have test results of water testing.
It is important to be aware of potential contamination. However, the ecosystems of the lakes and rivers may make it worth the swim if there is not major contamination or other hazards. The sand, rocks, and plant life mixed with the flowing water helps to remove many toxins.
In short, like everything, there is danger; but there are many ways we can reduce the risks. There are options outside of public swimming pools that may be even safer. If you do not swim often, then being aware of the symptoms mentioned and avoiding overly strong smelling pools is probably alright. Opening the conversations while helping look for healthier solutions is always a move in a better direction.
