Swimming Pool Chemicals: Healthy or Hazardous

Anything that's not entirely natural may come with certain side effects. Swimming pool chemicals, primarily chlorine and bromine, are very useful — stagnant water quickly becomes a hotbed for bacteria and algae. However, as they strip the water of harmful contaminants, they also strip hair, skin, and nails of nourishing nutrients. Let's dive deeper into the benefits of chlorine before determining how to battle its detriments.

The Healthy Side of Chlorine

Chlorine came about for a very good reason. The dangers of stagnant, germ-filled water are numerous. The top three concerns are algae, fungal, and parasitic infections. Blue-green algae is another danger, capable of causing anything from skin irritation and gastrointestinal problems to, in more serious exposures, liver and neurological effects.

When added to water, chlorine turns into a combination of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite anion. Together, they disinfect water and are considered safe when administered in the right concentration. According to the CDC, safe minimum concentrations are at least 1 part per million (ppm) for pool water and at least 3 ppm for hot tubs.