Everybody in the Pool!

Way back when, I thought my biggest fear regarding swimming pools and kids was drowning. While I still worry about that, I was surprised to learn that there are many other potential dangers lurking in that sparkling, blue water. I'm not advocating that parents abstain from swimming in the pool with their kids (as if that is even a possibility here in the south...hello, heat index of 110 degrees!), I'm only passing along information you may want to consider next time you take a dip with the wee ones (or by yourself, for that matter). 


Though I abhor the heat, I've spent most summers of my life submerged in various swimming holes -- wreaking of chlorine, my hair dry and brittle. Little did I know that the very chemical that makes it seemingly safer to swim in pools since it kills most germs, actually poses other risks as well. Several studies have linked the chlorine to asthma and skin irritation (especially for those with eczema). More disturbing, it's been determined that chlorine can react with other compounds found in water to create carcinogens that can be stored in the body for an extended period of time that can result in an elevated risk of several types of cancer including that of the breast and bladder. 

Thankfully, more people are entertaining the idea of converting their pools to salt water these days (which does still contain chlorine, though much less) -- even better, some pools are going high tech, using UV technology to disinfect. But since most pools still contain lots of chlorine, there are a few tips you'd be wise to keep in mind during these remaining summer months. 


First, beware of pools that smell too strongly of chlorine. It IS possible to over-chlorinate a pool and it's bad enough to swim in a normal amount of chlorine. Avoid taking a dunk in a pool that appears to be filled with too much of the chemical as it is a powerful additive that certainly isn't beneficial in large doses. Make sure you feel confident that a professional (or at least someone who knows what they are doing) is regularly checking the pool's Ph levels. You may even want to limit the time you spend in a chlorinated pool in general and always remember to shower off with clean water after swimming to remove as much of the remaining residue as possible (though it is indeed, absorbed through the skin). 


And don't be fooled into thinking that chlorine actually kills ALL germs in pools. One of the most prevalent pool polluters -- cryptospordium -- is resistant to chlorine and can cause major gastrointestinal distress. According to the CDC, these pesky parasites can survive in the water for days. This is especially something to keep in mind when swimming in a public pool. Even an infinitesimal amount of poop can do more than stink up the joint - it can seriously compromise the safety of the entire area.  


Other viruses often found poolside include norovirus and giardia, which cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea, as well as the virus that causes swimmers ear (not deadly, but certainly annoying). 


So, before you take the Nestea plunge (yes, I'm dating myself), use a little common sense and try to be sure you don't come home with more than just a damp suit and collection of wet towels. And here you thought you were so well prepared after my previous entry on sunscreen...have you not yet learned that just when you tackle one concern, there is always something else to worry about these days?