Whether it’s for swimming lessons, swim meets, swim parties, water aerobics or just plain splashing around on hot day, your family will probably spend some significant time in a pool this summer. As a research microbiologist specializing in water quality and public health safety, I’d like to correct four common swimming pool myths to help your family enjoy a “Healthy Pools” summer.
Myth #1: The heavy chemical smell around the pool is a reminder that chlorine is present in the water for killing germs.
Fact: A properly disinfected swimming pool has no strong chemical smell, despite the presence of chlorine disinfectant to destroy germs. That surprises most people. In fact, the odor we notice around pools arises from the presence of chloramines in pool water. Without turning this into a chemistry lesson, chloramines form when chlorine disinfectants react with contaminants brought into pools on the bodies of swimmers. These contaminants include perspiration, urine, body oils and cosmetics. Chloramines are irritants that can redden the eyes of swimmers and make their skin itchy. Ironically, while many people think a pool chemical smell means there is too much chlorine in the water, more chlorine disinfectant may actually be needed to destroy the irritating chloramines.
Myth #2: Chlorine in pool water turns your hair green.
Fact: Green hair is associated with swimming and blondes display this best, but don’t blame chlorine. The green color comes from metals, such as copper, in the water, which are added to control algae or may be leached from pool plumbing and fixtures. Now green hair looks good on some but here is a hint: Wear a swim cap. If you hate that idea, experts recommend a thorough hair-rinsing as soon as you leave the pool, followed by a gentle shampoo.
Myth #3: Pool water is disinfected, so it’s alright if my children swallow some.
Fact: Teach your children to avoid getting pool water in their mouths. Chlorine does kill waterborne germs, but chlorine levels fluctuate in pools, especially busy, crowded pools. And germs are not equally susceptible to chlorine–some germs take longer to destroy than others. Pool staff is responsible for keeping chlorine levels within an acceptable range, but, unfortunately, not all pools are carefully maintained. It’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid swallowing pool water. But if this sounds like rather passive advice, please read on.
Myth #4: It’s up to only the pool operators to keep pools healthy.
Fact: There’s so much you can do, too! To minimize irritating chloramines, shower before swimming and never pee in the pool. Take young swimmers on frequent bathroom breaks and make sure they wash their hands. Anyone with diarrhea must stay out of the water. Learn to recognize the signs of a Healthy Pool, and notify pool staff if those signs are missing. Finally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging swimmers to measure the pH and free chlorine level of pool water this year to make sure they are swimming in a Healthy Pool. It’s a simple test done with a color-coded plastic strip, and you can even order a free test kit at www.healthypools.org/freeteststrips. If you find unacceptable pool readings, inform pool staff, who should correct the pool chemistry. If this does not happen, CDC recommends you notify your local public health department. Finally, upload your results on the Healthy Pools site to see how your pool compares to others around the country.
Here’s to a great summer in only the healthiest of pools!
(Joan Rose, PhD, is the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at Michigan State University and a member of the Water Quality and Health Council)
hi there, I just had to comment, I honestly like your post, thanks for the information
I’ve never been a fan of swimming in public pools, and I have started to research getting an above ground pool. This page has come in really handy. Thank u for the great info
Nice article, puts light on somethings that you take for granted.
I was always lead to believe that if a pool smelled of chlorine that there was a lack of acid or that the Ph balance of the water was out. Most of our dealings are with homeowners who don’t manage the chemistry of their swimming pool until there’s a problem. This is a great site and I’ll add it to a future blog post. Thanks!
I have a above ground pool that I just had to refill from my well water. Being in Florida my well water is iron “heavy”. Of course the result is iron stain in my pool. I have a sand filter.
Any suggestions on how to efficiently remove most of the iron & stain
Hello Claude,
Thank you for your interest in the Healthy Pools Blog. The Water Quality and Health Council added a new feature to the Healthy Pools website called, “Ask a Pool Operator”. You are invited you to submit your question there for a response from an actually pool operator. With this feature you can see questions and answers posted by other pool users. You can find the feature at http://healthypools.org/. Enjoy your pool!
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
So many public pools are REQUIRED to have “rest breaks.” These are EXCELLENT opportunities to take your young ones to the restroom even if they “don’t have to go!”
I would like to know more about salt water systems. I converted our pool this year to salt water and was swarmed by honey bees. Had constant problems with maintaining the correct chlorine level. I ended up going back to go old chlorine and haven’t had any problems since.