Summer is practically here, schools are out, and hot days are just around the corner. It’s the season for enjoying fun and refreshing water sports and activities. It’s also a time to consider safe swimming strategies for those just learning to swim, and especially children. Whether it’s at a neighborhood or rec pool, the lake, river, or the ocean, there are practices to keep in mind to avoid a fun day ending in a not-so-fun way. More specifically, while each locale has distinct dangers associated with it, indoor swimming pools pose unique threats to health which you may be unaware of.
Indoor Swimming Pools
The very nature of indoor pools, enclosed in a confined space, creates some unique issues which can become dangerous to individuals with asthma and severe allergies. Prolonged exposure to the chlorine used in indoor pools can actually cause asthma. The chemical, chlorine, reacts with organic substances to form more dangerous chemicals like nitrogen trichloride, aldehydes (like that found in formaldehyde), halogenated hydrocarbons, and chorogorm, in addition to these two dangerous compounds.
- Trihalomehanes (THMs): A known carcinogen, this chemical has been links to increased incidences of bladder and colon cancer as well as being associated with miscarriages and stillbirths.
- Chloramines: These can increase the permeability of the lung epithelium—making the lining of the lungs less functional as a physical and immunological barrier to anything breathed into them.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, chemicals in pool water can become more concentrated, making it hard on your lungs. “The main concern with indoor pools is the chlorine, which is used as a disinfecting agent,” says pulmonologist Rachel Taliercio, DO. “While it’s important to keep harmful bacteria under control, it can be potentially irritating.”
Chlorine byproducts, such as chloramine, are most concentrated in the air at the surface of the pool, and they’re most dangerous to young children. If you utilize an indoor pool, make sure that it’s well ventilated. Airflow above the surface of the pool helps to disperse the dangerous chemicals.
How to Make Indoor Pools Healthier
First, it’s a good idea to know how to identify an indoor pool that could possibly be unhealthy. If you can smell a strong odor of chlorine, experience a skin rash or irritated eyes, or have difficulty breathing, then that indoor pool is probably not safe. Many times, high humidity is at the bottom of the problem since humid air is heavy and collects close to the surface of the pool.
Chloramines can build up in the water and in the air, without adequate fresh air and the exhausting of chloramine-polluted air. The CDC address chloramines and pool operation, advising that public indoor pool operators take steps to reduce the buildup of these dangerous chemicals.
In addition, overly humid conditions promote the growth of mold, another powerful allergen. Moisture evaporating from chlorinated pools is particularly corrosive, deteriorating cement blocks, mortar joints & bricks, metal, and wood.
Using an indoor pool rated dehumidifier to pull out humid air and replace it with fresh, dry air will help make the area healthier. Ductable models can route polluted air outside and release dry, fresh air into the indoor pool space. This drier air also helps preserve the structure and prevent mold growth.
Shop All Indoor Pool & Spa Dehumidifiers
Safety for Lake, River, & Ocean Swimming
There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your trip to the lake, river, or ocean is fun-filled and safe.
- Check it Out: Check online to see if the area is being monitored, is closed, or is under advisory for health or safety reasons, especially after a heavy rain.
- Check with Your Doctor: If you’re taking medication or have a health problem that reduces your body’s ability to fight germs, ask your doctor before swimming in any natural body of water.
- Follow the Advice of Warning Signs: Many beaches and lakes have advisory signs for swimmers. Pay attention to these and follow instructions.
If there are signs prohibiting swimming or indicating that the swim area is closed, don’t go in. If there are no signs and the area is not monitored, don’t swim if the water looks cloudy as this may be an indication of higher germ levels, or if there are pipes draining into it or around it. Don’t go in swimming at all if you are sick with diarrhea or have an open cut or wound. When you are swimming don’t swallow the water, keep sand away from your mouth, don’t poop or pee in the water. Be sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before eating food.
In Summary
Indoor swimming pools can be the source of health problems related to asthma and allergies due to the build-up of chlorine by-products such as chloramines and THMs. Reducing humidity levels and providing a constant source of fresh, dry air by using a pool-rated dehumidifier can provide a safer swimming environment all year long. For more information, see this page on the CDC website.
