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In a recent study 60% of people swimming in highly chlorinated indoor pools suffered the temporary constriction of airways known as exercise-induced asthma. Of those who swam in water with half as much chlorine, only 20% had breathing difficulties.
The problem isn’t the chlorine but what chlorine turns into when combined with organics. The organics are contributed by bathers in the pool in the form of sweat, dander, urine and others.
It sounds like a Catch 22 situation. Swimming is recommended for asthmatics because the hot humid air in pools compensates for the effects of exercise, but not if the air is laden with toxins. Levels of trichloramine can vary greatly, depending on how crowded a pool is, how clean the swimmers are, and how well ventilated the area is.
The layer of chlorine gases hovering just above the water has the potential to damage the lungs and cause asthma, if the levels are high enough. The chlorine that stings the eyes can also 'sting' the sensitive tissue of the lungs. At some pools the chlorine smell is oppressive. The risks are highest in indoor pools, and the lower the ceiling, the higher the risk.
Researcher Larry Boorish, M.D. says, “It’s unlikely that indoor pool exposure or any other single exposure source can explain the rise in childhood asthma cases. Different people may have different asthma triggers, he says, adding that researchers working to find answers need to look at the broader picture.”
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