Chlorine and Asthma in swimming pools

HCLOman


Joined: 01/07/2011
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 20:02

OK , the asthma links & msg 59.



If you read any of these types of reports , they are all consistent in 2 things

A. Every study is carried out in indoor swimming pools

B. They relate to chlorine by products , NOT the actual chlorine

So why does this make a difference,



A . Indoor pools differ in 3 ways from the outdoor pools we are mostly concerned with ,

Obviously they are indoor , so they are in a building which relies on supplementary methods to provide the required air quality and to remove any chlorine by products from inside the pool hall. In an outdoor pool we do not suffer from any build up from chlorine by products as they “gas” off from the pool water , as they are quickly dispersed into the surrounding atmosphere .

So basically, they don’t linger about like in an indoor pool , so we don’t get to breathe them in .

HCLOman


Joined: 01/07/2011
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 20:02

Indoor pools are not subjected to sunlight , but outdoor pools in our climates have at least 12 hours per day ( in the swim season ) of UV light . UV is a proven method to remove chlorine by products , which is why a lot of indoor public pools are now using UV to remove them . We get this for free in our outdoor pools.

Also as indoor pools do not get sunlight , they do not need any cyanuric acid in the water , which is used to reduce the chlorine loss to UV. The effect of this brings me on to point B

HCLOman


Joined: 01/07/2011
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 20:03

B . The main reason why chlorine is so widespread in swimming pool use is because it sanitizes and oxidizes all at the same time . But in the form it takes in pools the oxidation state or number changes once it bonds with oxygen . This makes it a very effective oxidizer , as it tries to attach itself to other compounds within the pool water. Unfortunately as its so reactive it also combines with ammonia from human bodily fluids ( sweat , urine etc ) and this is how the by products are formed. The main by products are chloramines , which include the nitrogen trichloride mentioned in the asthma reports.

In an outdoor pool we add cyanuric acid as previously mentioned. As this bonds to the chlorine to prevent loss to UV , it also causes the active element of chlorine to lose the majority of its reactive state ( as its already found something to attach to ).

HCLOman


Joined: 01/07/2011
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 20:04

So basically the chlorine will not attach to the ammonia to form by products as its already attached to the cyanuric acid.



To sum up ,

In an outdoor pool , far less chlorine by products are formed in the first place and then they either “gas off” into the outside air or they are consumed to UV .

So basically , no by products , no severe side effects.



There is a little more to it than that , but I have tried to post in Laymans terms, then even 0maintenance and Washerman will get it .

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 20:05

HCLOman - we're still waiting for your website address, but in the meantime, here's one for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LyoQS0EvcE

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 20:06

This thread is now closed.



Reason: As given in the previous closed thread by Moderator Harold.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 20:07

This thread is now closed. Reason: Not specified.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 20:07

This thread is now closed. Reason: Not specified.