No, it isn't bunk, it isn't even all that controversial. EHP is a perfectly fine scientific journal; I'll look up the articles when I have some more time to see what exactly is new in the studies referenced, but any search for "chlorination disinfection byproducts" will come up with many hits.
I only had time to skim the DiscoveryNews article. The idea that chlorination can cause respiratory problems, especially in sensitive people, shouldn't shock anybody who has spent time at pools. Especially in poorly-ventillated pool areas: because of this, the pools I swim in have gone to a non-chlorinated system (uv for one pool, ozone for the other) specifically because the kids were having such a hard time breathing -- excessive coughing, etc -- when the pools were chlorinated. The problems are gone now.
As far as cancer, the risk needs to be put in perspective compared to other sources (eg, smog, second-hand smoke, natural carcinogens, indoor air pollution). The increased risk may be negligible.
But the risks associated with NOT disinfecting the pool, or doing so poorly, are much higher. And swimming is certainly better than being sedentary; all the article is saying is that if you have a choice of pools, go with the one where breathing seems easier. I love my non-chlorine pools (my eyes never hurt when I do my backstroke sets sans goggles) and do wish there were more of them.
No, it isn't bunk, it isn't even all that controversial. EHP is a perfectly fine scientific journal; I'll look up the articles when I have some more time to see what exactly is new in the studies referenced, but any search for "chlorination disinfection byproducts" will come up with many hits.
I only had time to skim the DiscoveryNews article. The idea that chlorination can cause respiratory problems, especially in sensitive people, shouldn't shock anybody who has spent time at pools. Especially in poorly-ventillated pool areas: because of this, the pools I swim in have gone to a non-chlorinated system (uv for one pool, ozone for the other) specifically because the kids were having such a hard time breathing -- excessive coughing, etc -- when the pools were chlorinated. The problems are gone now.
As far as cancer, the risk needs to be put in perspective compared to other sources (eg, smog, second-hand smoke, natural carcinogens, indoor air pollution). The increased risk may be negligible.
But the risks associated with NOT disinfecting the pool, or doing so poorly, are much higher. And swimming is certainly better than being sedentary; all the article is saying is that if you have a choice of pools, go with the one where breathing seems easier. I love my non-chlorine pools (my eyes never hurt when I do my backstroke sets sans goggles) and do wish there were more of them.
