Water Benefits Health News, Issue #52

July 13, 2018

Hello Water Friend,

I grew up in Arizona and spent most of my summer days in swimming pools. Since I had light blonde hair, by the end of the summer my hair was always green from chlorine in the pools.

Of course, I didn’t know it at the time, but green hair was the least of my problems. The long-term health effects of chlorine and its disinfection by-products (DBPs) are well documented.

What the studies have found is that chlorine itself is not the big issue. The main issue has to do with what happens when chlorine mixes with any type of organic matter in the water.

In the 1970s scientists discovered that when chlorine is added to water, it forms Trihalomethanes (THMs), one of which is chloroform. THMs increase the production of free radicals in the body and are highly carcinogenic (cancer causing).

Chlorine and THMS have been linked to various types of cancer, kidney and liver damage, immune system dysfunction, disorders of the nervous system, hardening of the arteries, and birth defects.

According to the Journal of Public Health, "Up to two-thirds of the harmful effects of chlorine are due to inhalation and skin absorption while showering."

Naturally, swimming in chlorinated pools or soaking in heated spas and jacuzzis also carry some health risks.

Thus, our feature article is on "Swimming Chlorine Exposure: How to Minimize the Effects."

You can also learn more about how to minimize chlorine exposure from your drinking water, as well as from your showers and baths.

To your health and happiness,

Nancy Hearn, CNC

Feature Article

Swimming chlorine exposure has been linked to asthma and respiratory problems and may even increase your risk of developing cancer.

For a review of some clinical studies conducted on the effects of swimming chlorine exposure, see Chlorinated Pools May Increase Cancer Risk by Emily Sohn on the Science site for NBC News.

However, that doesn’t mean that you or your children need to stop swimming. There are obvious physical exercise benefits from swimming, as well as the "blue space" effect for mental and emotional well-being. And then, for children especially, swimming provides many hours of a fun outdoor activity during the summer months. This is a benefit that many parents highly value for their children.

Read more here . . .

Related Articles

Chlorine in Drinking Water – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly News

Shower Filter Reviews and Recommendations

Bath Water Filter Reviews and Recommendations

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Nancy Hearn is a certified health and nutrition consultant, hydration specialist, fitness advisor, and freelance web writer. She is the author of WaterBenefitsHealth.com and has published numerous health articles and eBooks.

P.S. If you have a specific question about water or water filters, please submit it on our Contact page.