Chlorine is a chemical element that is so commonly used in modern society that most children first learn of its existence long before they enter a grade 9 science class. The most obvious example of a real life industry that often uses chlorine as a major resource would be public swimming pools. Pool centers regularly dissolve large samples of chlorine in their waters because of sanitary reasons. But, what are those sanitary reasons? What would happen if pools were not chlorinated? Is chlorinated water harmful to humans?
I recently found an article by the Healthy Home Economist that answers all of the above questions. The article explains that the reason why public pools are chlorinated is for three major reasons: One, because the chlorine kills any bacteria that enters the pool. Two, the chlorine keeps the pool fresh by oxidizing out any outside elements or bodily germs. Three, the chlorine prevents algae from forming in the pool overtime. Since pools are not connected to the ocean like many natural bodies of water are, the absence of chlorine can cause bacteria and hazardous substance to start building up in the pool, putting swimmers at risk of contracting waterborne diseases. However, chlorine itself can also pose as a health risk. The article mentions that some side effects from overexposure to chlorinated water are : red eyes, permanent wrinkles, dry skin, respiratory problems, skin rashes, pregnancy problems for women and in some cases, hair loss. Also cancer, like every other thing today apparently. The article also mentions that despite the existence of alternative oxidiser such as bromine, ionizers and silver-copper which are just as successful at keeping pools sanitized without all the side effects, chlorine still remains the top most used pool sanitizer mostly because it’s much cheaper to attain than its counterparts.
One interesting thing that I read in the article was it’s point on how too much chlorine exposure could lead to hair loss. When the article pointed to Olympic swimmers as a reference I suddenly realized that yes, a lot of the men that I’ve seen participate in competitive or professional swimming are often bald and wrinkly despite being in their 30’s. Another interesting thing in the article was when it explained why indoor public pools could be hazardous to human health. The short answer could be summed up to chlorine giving off gas that gets trapped in an indoor location and eventually building up enough causing a foul odor. However, the way that the article explains this is by using delicious chemistry terms such as Nitrogen Trichloride precipitating in the air or chlorine entering a chemical reaction when coming into contact with ammonium to produce chloramines due to excess amount of sweat. Such language is almost tempting enough to warrant spending time on writing out a balanced chemical equation with the limiting reagent and percent yield included. Almost tempting enough. Anyway, the question that I have for you, my lovely readers this week is: What do you think is a better, healthier, option to swim in? A public swimming pool, a lake, a river or, an ocean?
Citations:
Love, Sandrine. “The Dangers of Chlorinated Pools and How to Protect Yourself - Healthy Home Economist.” The Healthy Home Economist, The Healthy Home Economist, 13 June 2018, www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-dangers-of-chlorinated-pools-and-how-to-protect-yourself/.
