About a year and a half ago there was an excellent discussion on this forum (thread title: "Long Term Health Effects") on the topic of the possible ill effects of exposure to chlorinated water in pools.
Has any new information on this subject come forward since that time?
Several posters in the earlier thread theorized that showering before swimming will reduce chlorine absorbtion through the skin from pool water. Is this true? Are the skin pores "sealed" in some way by the tap water from the shower?
One general health "expert," who in other areas seems pretty sensible to me, warns against swimming in pools because "chlorine in most pools is rapidly absorbed through the skin and can contribute to major disruptions in your biochemistry."
This freaked me out a little.
Since most of us will probably keep swimming regardless, I am particularly interested in what one can do to reduce the risk.
Does showering pre-swim help?
Does a thorough post-swim anti-chlorine soap scrubbing help?
Would wearing a bodysuit while swimming help?
I am one of the swimmers who believe it is the balance of the chemicals and the ventilation. I swam at at Y pool for many years with no trouble until they changed the ventilation system. Some days I was okay, on other days I would get about 300 yards into the workout and start having trouble breathing. I could stay and do the workout at a slower pace, but then I'd have problems for several days. One evening, I got out, did not change clothes just wrapped a towel around my waist, and went to another Y. I had no problem swimming at all. Since then, much to my regret, I have avoided my original Y.
Every once in awhile at a long meet I'll have trouble sitting around in the pool area all day. I'm okay swimming my races, but I find a place to wait for my events outside the pool area. I have asthma, but it is controlled by medication and being aware of the conditions in the pool.
Betsy Durrant
I am one of the swimmers who believe it is the balance of the chemicals and the ventilation. I swam at at Y pool for many years with no trouble until they changed the ventilation system. Some days I was okay, on other days I would get about 300 yards into the workout and start having trouble breathing. I could stay and do the workout at a slower pace, but then I'd have problems for several days. One evening, I got out, did not change clothes just wrapped a towel around my waist, and went to another Y. I had no problem swimming at all. Since then, much to my regret, I have avoided my original Y.
Every once in awhile at a long meet I'll have trouble sitting around in the pool area all day. I'm okay swimming my races, but I find a place to wait for my events outside the pool area. I have asthma, but it is controlled by medication and being aware of the conditions in the pool.
Betsy Durrant
