How Dangerous is Chlorine for Children in the Swimming Pool?

Swimming is a sport that is not only fun for children, but can also promote health. Again and again, however, studies show that especially in indoor pools, the chlorine contained could be harmful to health, especially that of children. Can chlorine in the water possibly increase the risk of developing asthma and allergies?

Chlorine as a risk for asthmatics?

Especially for children suffering from asthma, swimming was previously recommended by experts as an ideal sport, as regular swimming increases lung volume and can also improve breathing technique. As early as 2001, however, a Belgian study revealed results that alarmed many parents. A connection between chlorine in the water and the tendency to asthma or allergies was recognized. Currently, this topic has been taken up by the health media. Under discussion is the extent to which chlorine in water may pose a health risk to infants and children, and at what level.

Chlorine for disinfection in swimming pools

It is no secret that chlorine is pure chemistry. Thus, especially for parents, the question quickly arises as to why it is necessary to add chlorine to the water at all, although there may possibly be a health risk associated with it. It is important to know that germs can form and spread quickly wherever there are many people. A warm and humid climate, such as that found in indoor swimming pools, is ideal for the development of germs. For this reason, it is very important that the water in the swimming pool is clean and regularly disinfected. This is where the positive property of chlorine comes into play. Because as soon as chlorine mixes with water, it can combine with bacteria and other organic substances that are already in the water. Thus, chlorine renders the bacteria harmless and kills any pathogens present. This is very practical and useful, because especially in a public swimming pool, where there are many people, large amounts of dirt can also get into the water and contaminate it. For this reason, municipal swimming pools in Germany are even subject to the obligation to add certain amounts of chlorine to the water. In addition, the DIN 19643 standard prescribes a limit value of one milligram per liter of water, which may not be exceeded. This legally defined limit value is intended to exclude any possible health hazards from chlorine and chlorine by-products. However, experts point out that as soon as chlorine combines with organic substances such as sweat, urine or small hairs, combined chlorine is formed, so-called chloramines. These include the irritant trichloramine, which results from a reaction between chlorine and urine. The chloramines can attack mucous membranes, get into the respiratory tract and into the eyes – the latter often causing children to come home with red eyes after swimming. Because children’s lungs, especially those of infants under 3, are still developing, they can be particularly sensitive. Chlorine can cause bronchitis in children, which in turn can lead to an increased risk of respiratory illness. So if the air in the indoor pool smells strongly of chlorine, the chlorine itself is not the cause of the extreme odor, but the chloramines. By the way, a strong smell of chlorine is always a sign that there are too many chloramines in the air!

Healthy swimming through sufficient ventilation

For these reasons, good and sufficient ventilation in the indoor pool is very important. If children experience a severe coughing irritation while in the pool or even complain of a sudden burning sensation in their throat, this may be a clear sign of irritation caused by chloramines. In this case, specialists advise leaving the pool and be sure to bring it to the attention of the lifeguard. Because as soon as the water is refreshed, the air is also clearer again. Some swimming pools have now opted for alternatives to chlorine, but these are more cost-intensive, so the large number of municipal swimming pools currently continue to clean with chlorine. Conclusion: Swimming is a sport that promotes health and one’s own well-being.However, it is particularly important in indoor swimming pools that they are well ventilated and that the formation of chloramines is kept to a minimum.