5 Ways Too Much Chlorine in the Pool Can Affect Health
Too much chlorine in a pool can cause several health problems. These include:
1. Irritated Eyes
Chloramine is heavier than air, so it hangs at the pool’s surface, Dr. Uren says. If it gets into your eyes, it can cause stinging and irritation.
Chlorine can also wash away the tear film that coats the surface of your eyes and keeps them moist and clear. This reduction of tear film leaves the eyes itchy, watery, and red.
2. Coughing
Chlorine and chloramine gas are both irritating to the respiratory system (the lungs, nose, throat, and airways), Uren says. As a result, you may experience tracheobronchitis, or “chlorine cough,” from unbalanced chlorine in swimming pools. Side effects include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and a burning sensation in the throat.
People who spend more time in pools, such as competitive swimmers, and those with asthma may be more likely to experience chlorine cough.
3. Dry Skin, Hair, and Nails
In a properly maintained pool, a brief swim won’t harm your skin, says Channa Ovits, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Summit Health in White Plains, New York. However, if there’s too much chlorine in the pool, she says you may notice dry skin and hair, along with weakened nails.
But even if your pool has a safe chlorine level, you may still experience side effects if you swim frequently. “Those who swim often and for extended periods can have the chlorine strip the oils from their skin and hair and get some dryness and irritation, as well as brittle hair,” Dr. Ovits says.
4. Chlorine Poisoning
High chlorine levels in pools come with a risk of chlorine poisoning if someone swallows or inhales chlorine.
Symptoms of overexposure to chlorine include:
Blurred vision
Red and blistered skin
Burning in the nose, throat, and eyes
Coughing and difficulty breathing
Nausea or vomiting
Getting to fresh air and rinsing your eyes (if affected) with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes can help, but see a doctor if symptoms persist or get worse.
5. Skin Sensitivity
Chlorine is already irritating to the skin, but some people are especially sensitive. If you’re hypersensitive, chlorine can cause your skin to become red, itchy, and painful. You may develop a lesion (an area of the skin that appears different from surrounding skin), rash, or hives (itchy bumps).
You may be more prone to skin issues if you frequently use the pool or if the pool has high chlorine levels.
