![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/thmb\/HcIhs2W73PdtCKVuTkCX1-qMY_c=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()\/Chlorine-7caa4779df9d46d09bf8b6a05f243bca.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Oleg Breslavtsev \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n <\/span> \nChlorine is a chemical disinfectant added to swimming pools to kill germs. In its original gas form, chlorine is a highly irritating and damaging chemical.<\/span> When added to pool water, chlorine technically turns into the chemicals hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite anion, which disinfect water and is considered safe in the right concentration.<\/span> \n<\/p>\n \nThat said, frequent swimmers may find that chlorinated water causes unwanted side effects. When chlorine concentration is too high, it can also cause allergy-like symptoms. Here are five ways chlorine can affect your body.\n<\/p>\n Adding a chlorine concentration of at least 1 part per million (ppm) to pool water\u2014and 3 ppm in hot tubs\u2014is considered safe by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the U.S., most local health departments require pools to have a combined chlorine level of 0.4 ppm or less.\u00a0Combined chlorine is chlorine that has already bound itself with germs and waste to disinfect the pool.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> <\/p>\n \nChlorine and other chemicals in pool water can irritate and dry out the skin.<\/span> People can’t be allergic to chlorine, but you can be sensitive to the chemical and have skin reactions that are actually irritant dermatitis caused by hypersensitivity to chlorine.<\/span> \n<\/p>\n \nChlorinated water can cause irritating skin symptoms like:<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nResearch shows that frequent swimmers are more prone to allergic contact dermatitis or “pool water dermatitis.” This itchy rash is caused by pool chemicals like chlorine. However, some people may get rashes from swim gear like swim caps and goggles rubbing on the skin.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nIf you have psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disorder that causes thick patches of discolored skin and silver scales, dipping in the pool can further aggravate your psoriasis plaques.<\/span> Chlorine can also worsen symptoms of eczema, a skin disorder that causes dry and itchy patches of skin.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nIf your skin is sensitive to chlorine, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests:<\/span>\n<\/p>\n A Chlorine Rash Might Make Your Skin Feel Itchy After Swimming in a Pool<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> <\/p>\n \nChlorinated water dissolves oils that coat and protect your hair, which may make your hair more prone to damage and dryness. Chlorine also breaks down proteins in your hair, increasing your risk of hair breakage. People with white or blonde hair are more at risk because the hair has less melanin (what gives skin and hair color) to protect it.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nChlorine can also lighten your hair, especially if the pool water you swim in has a high concentration of chlorine. (For context, bleach, known to lighten hair and laundry stains, is made with chlorine.) Lightening hair requires high chlorine concentrations, so it takes time and lots of swimming to see the effects. However, UV light from the sun can also lighten hair and increase the impact of chlorine on hair.<\/span> \n<\/p>\n \nTo keep your hair healthy while you swim, the AAD suggests you:<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Oxidized copper is what turns blonde or white hair green after a swim. Copper sulfate is sometimes added to pools to control algae growth. Copper can also leak into the pool from plumbing or copper ionizer equipment. Chlorine corrodes copper that sticks to the hair, resulting in a similar green-blue color of copper patina.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span> <\/p>\n \nHigh levels of combined chlorine release chloramines into the water and air, which can be highly irritating. Combined chlorine is chlorine that has bound to germs and waste to disinfect the pool.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nChlorinated pools don't usually cause respiratory problems. However, if a pool has built up high levels of chloramines, you can experience respiratory issues like:<\/span>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nPools build up chloramines when chlorine mixes with sweat, dirt, poop, pee, and dead skin cells. Even jumping in the pool with deodorant or makeup can create chloramines.<\/span> \n<\/p>\n \nChloramines also turns into gas around the pool area. A pool that has built up too many chloramines often has a strong chemical smell, which people mistakenly call a "chlorine smell." The chloramines in the air are usually responsible for respiratory issues during or after swimming. This is more common in indoor pools because they are not as well-ventilated to allow chloramine to leave the area.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n How Long After Shocking a Pool Is It Safe To Swim?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> <\/p>\n \nChlorine and other pool chemicals can wash away the thin layer of tears that coat your eyes. As a result, chlorine can cause eye side effects like:<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nChloramines released when chlorine combines with human waste also irritate the eyes. Swimmers in a pool with built-up chloramines may experience eye irritation like red, itchy eyes.<\/span>\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nThe American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests rinsing your eyes with fresh water after swimming to help remove chlorinated water from your eyes. Eye drops may also help rebalance any tears, and wearing goggles keeps chlorinated water out of your eyes.<\/span> \n<\/p>\n <\/span> <\/p>\n \nChlorine and other pool chemicals can cause people’s teeth to form yellow and brown stains, known as swimmer’s calculus. This staining happens because the pH of chlorinated pools is higher than your saliva, which breaks down proteins that protect teeth from straining and tartar build-up. Chlorinated pools can also erode enamel, which makes you more likely to deal with staining.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nHowever, it's unlikely your teeth will turn yellow after visiting your local pool a few times a week. Research shows competitive swimmers and divers\u2014especially those who spend more than six hours a week in the pool\u2014are more likely to develop yellow teeth.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nU.S. Masters Swimming recommends brushing your teeth before swimming to help prevent pool chemicals from building up on plaque. After a swim, rinse your mouth with fresh water or fluoride mouthwash to help restore your mouth's pH levels. Brushing may be too harsh on your enamel after a swim.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n <\/span> <\/p>\n \nChlorinated water is considered safe when pools have the correct concentration of chlorine. However, some people are more sensitive to chlorine. Chlorine can irritate the eyes, skin, hair, and teeth.\n<\/p>\n \nOccasionally swimming doesn't cause significant side effects, but people who swim frequently are more likely to experience chlorine side effects.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nPools with too high chlorine levels and built-up chloramines can also irritate the respiratory system. If you have issues breathing or have intense allergy-like symptoms, ask the pool manager to check the chlorine levels.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Oleg Breslavtsev \/ Getty Images Chlorine is a chemical disinfectant added to swimming pools to kill germs. In its original gas form, chlorine is a highly irritating and damaging chemical. When added to pool water, chlorine technically turns into the chemicals hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite anion, which disinfect water and is considered safe in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,420,995,67],"tags":[37,422,996,69],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17230"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17230"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17230\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1millionbestdownloads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nHow Much Chlorine Is Safe?<\/h3>\n
It May Cause Dry Skin and Rash <\/span> <\/h2>\n
\n
\n
It May Lead To Lightened and Dry Hair <\/span> <\/h2>\n
\n
\nChlorine Doesn’t Turn Your Hair Green<\/h3>\n
It May Cause Respiratory Issues <\/span> <\/h2>\n
\n
It May Cause Eye Irritation <\/span> <\/h2>\n
\n
It May Lead to Yellow Teeth <\/span> <\/h2>\n
A Quick Review <\/span> <\/h2>\n