I am 47years old and have returned to swimming as a fitness choice. I get 3 workouts of 2500yds/week and feel great. I also have an inground pool that my family enjoys in the summer months. My question relates to the long term consequences of chlorine exposure. Do studies exist that show whether swimmers have an increased health risk to cancers? Has anyone looked at pool chlorine exposure as a health risk in any way? The pools I swim in all use chlorine as a sanitizer and I would hate to think my exercise regimen may be doing me more harm than good!
Parents
Former Member
I've read some studies recently (and an article in the Washington Post from a month or two ago) linking chlorination byproducts (trihalomethanes, or THMs) to an increased risk of miscarriage in women. I think one study in California found that the risk of miscarriage rose from 7% to 15% among women who were drinking lots of tap water with relatively high THM levels. My question is, what does this mean for those of us who swim in chlorinated pools all the time?? I have seen a lot of information related to asthma and cancer, but does anyone know of any studies regarding miscarriage? It is a little frightening, especially since doctors recommend swimming as a good exercise for pregnant women (likewise for asthma sufferers of course). It may be that the risks are very slight, but this is something I am reluctant to take much risk with.
I've read some studies recently (and an article in the Washington Post from a month or two ago) linking chlorination byproducts (trihalomethanes, or THMs) to an increased risk of miscarriage in women. I think one study in California found that the risk of miscarriage rose from 7% to 15% among women who were drinking lots of tap water with relatively high THM levels. My question is, what does this mean for those of us who swim in chlorinated pools all the time?? I have seen a lot of information related to asthma and cancer, but does anyone know of any studies regarding miscarriage? It is a little frightening, especially since doctors recommend swimming as a good exercise for pregnant women (likewise for asthma sufferers of course). It may be that the risks are very slight, but this is something I am reluctant to take much risk with.
