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Health professionals in swimming pools underestimate the health risk
Especially in summer, many people like to go swimming in pools to cool off and relax. But swimming in a pool could be a serious threat to our health. Researchers have now found that many chemicals contained in swimming pools pose a risk to our health.
Scientists have now discovered in an investigation that the chemicals in swimming pools pose a significant threat to our health. Normally these chemicals are just supposed to keep the water clean. Chemicals like chlorine react in the water with sunscreen, sweat and urine. The experts of the American Chemical Society now published a report on the results of their study.
Ever summer, it drives many people into public outdoor pools or private pools. By swimming, we cool off and even have some physical activity. This helps us stay fit and even reduces the likelihood of some types of cancer. However, there is a risk from our swimming pools, because the chemicals contained can damage our health. (Image: Monkey Business / fotolia.com) Water in swimming pools contains more than 100 chemical by-products
Experts from the American Chemical Society are now investigating the dangers of chemicals used to purify water in swimming pools. These can cause harmful reactions when they react in the water with sunscreen, sweat or urine, explain the authors.
The scientists studied both private and public swimming pools and whirlpools. They tested the water of occasionally used, but also intensively used pools. The physicians found a total of more than 100 chemical by-products in the swimming pools. These were the result of the use of disinfectants, which are normally used to keep the water clean, the researchers add.
Water in pools partly heavily genetically modified
The water of our swimming pools is sometimes heavily contaminated with chemical by-products. The samples of water in pools and hot tubs showed in part a 2.4 to 4.1 times stronger mutagenic (mutagenic) effect compared to the tap water originally used for filling, the experts explain. It was clear that commonly used pools contain more mutagenic water and more chemical byproducts, the authors add.
Experts claim that bathroom owners can reduce the number of harmful chemicals through more frequent cleaning and regular water changes. Swimmers could avoid health risks by showering carefully before jumping into the water of the pool, the researchers say.
By-products from chemicals can cause genetic damage
The current study examined how chemicals from disinfectants react with the water in pools. Further, the effects of these chemicals on the bacteria in the water were observed, explain the authors. However, the exact effects are still unclear and it is not known how long people have to be exposed to chemicals and bacteria to experience the negative effects.
People do not need to avoid swimming pools or spas, because swimming is a great way to stay active, even at an advanced age. Such an active leisure time can even reduce the risk of different types of cancer, explain the physicians.
However, other studies have also found that swimming pool cleaning chemicals can pose a serious threat to unsuspecting swimmers. One of the studies analyzed the relationship between the chemicals in the pool water and respiratory diseases, such as asthma, say the scientists. Another research team has already succeeded in proving in a laboratory that by-products from disinfection chemicals in swimming pools can cause genetic damage, the experts add. (As)