The function of chlorine in swimming pool water and its health hazards

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise because you need to move your entire body against the gravity of the water currents. Apart from that, swimming is also a great exercise to improve heart work and function, build endurance, while still removing some of the effects of stress from your body.

On the other hand, swimming pool water contains high chlorine. And not only does chlorine dry out the skin and hair, there are a number of negative effects of chlorine water on the health of the body.

What is the function of chlorine in swimming pools?

Calcium hypochlorite or better known as chlorine, is a type of disinfectant commonly used in swimming pool water. Chlorine is generally in the form of a white powder which will split in water to produce oxygen and chlorine gas which smells strong.

The function of chlorine in swimming pool water is not only to kill pathogenic bacteria that are spread in pool water, but also to purify swimming pool water. The use of chlorine in swimming pools must be adjusted to the required concentration and the safe limits set by regulatory agencies. Lack of chlorine concentration can cause the pathogenic bacteria in the swimming pool not to be cleared away so that it can cause the spread of infectious diseases. Meanwhile, excessive chlorine concentration will cause health hazards due to chlorine gas remaining in swimming pool water.

What is the danger of chlorine in swimming pool water?

Chlorine in swimming pool water can enter a person's body through several forms and ways, both in the form of chlorine gas that enters through breathing, direct contact with the reporting pool water with the skin or eyes, and when swimming pool water is accidentally swallowed by a swimmer. . Chlorine gas resulting from the reaction of chlorine with swimming pool water is toxic. If ingested, this substance will cause damage to tissues in the body. In addition, chlorine gas that is inhaled in high concentrations can cause narrowing of the tubes and swelling of the lungs.

Eye irritation

When it reacts with organic substances such as urine and sweat of swimmers, chlorine will produce a compound similar to nitrogen trichloride. Nitric chloride compounds can cause irritation to mucus membranes (mucus), thus triggering eye irritation. Over time, the eyes that are often exposed to swimming pool water containing the reaction products can experience other vision problems such as cloudy corneas, iritis, retinitis, and cataracts.

Skin infection

Chlorine can cause skin irritation and a burning sensation on the skin. Contact with pool water that contains excess chlorine can cause red rashes and skin infections. In addition, chlorine reacts with organic matter to produce toxic substances that damage the skin. Children are much more prone to experiencing the adverse effects of the toxin from chlorine in swimming pools.

Respiratory system disorders

The respiratory system is one of the organ systems in the body that is most easily exposed to chlorine in the form of gas in swimming pools. The function of chlorine in swimming pools can cause several diseases in the lungs such as bronchitis and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) or exercise-induced asthma.

Asthma that a person experiences after swimming is often referred to by the term swimmer's asthma. It is not uncommon for someone with asthma to experience a relapse when swimming. This is suspected to be a result of exposure to chlorine gas. In addition, chlorine compounds in chlorine can also cause epiglottitis, which is swelling and inflammation of the epiglottis which interferes with the respiratory process. Respiratory diseases due to swimming tend to occur more in someone who swims in the pool indoor with poor air circulation due to the air in the swimming pool indoor will be filled with chlorine gas.

Tooth decay and discoloration

The reaction of chlorine with swimming pool water results in a high pH of the pool water. This pH imbalance causes several problems with the teeth, such as discoloration and tooth decay. Chlorine is a compound that can cause discoloration in teeth. The condition in which swimmers experience discoloration of their front teeth is known as swimmer's calculus. Apart from discoloration, an unbalanced pH in swimming pools also causes tooth enamel to become soft and makes teeth more susceptible to decay and makes teeth more sensitive. In the long run, chlorine gas can cause corrosion on teeth, often referred to as swimmer's erosion.

Digestive system problems

When ingested, chlorine can cause various disorders of the digestive system. The most common irritation that a person experiences shortly after swallowing swimming pool water is a burning feeling in the throat. If a large amount of chlorine is ingested, it can cause damage to tissues in the body, especially along the digestive tract. In addition, if the chlorine concentration in swimming pool water exceeds the safe limit, it can cause damage to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, which in a severe condition can cause bleeding.

The function of chlorine in swimming pools can actually cause various health problems. Not only on the outside of the body, but also disturbances in internal organs. Therefore, some protection is needed when swimming, such as wearing swimming goggles, nose plugs, and being careful in opening your mouth when swimming so as not to swallow too much pool water.