Introduction
Swimming is a great exercise to get your whole body moving, and while swimming in the ocean is not a constant opportunity everyone can have; the next best thing is swimming in a swimming pool.
Still, it comes with a price; swimming in stagnant water has its own set of pros and cons, and in this article, we will focus on the cons and how we can tackle them.
Swimming pools can be contaminated very easily and the main reason for their contamination is people. While this is bound to happen, because swimming pools call for fun and social events, there are certain steps that you a pool owner, can take to keep your pool healthy and swimmers in check.
An unmanaged swimming pool is a breeding ground of bacteria and illnesses; it can contain many harmful microbes, viruses, and protozoa, and will most definitely cause a myriad of illnesses to those who will be using the pool.
There are certain factors that you as a responsible pool owner must check for every other day, if not every day.
– Is your pool water clear or not?
– Can you see the tiles at the bottom of the swimming pool?
– Is there any visible difference in the texture or smell? Of the pool water?
If the water is not clear, is milky or murky, and if the tiles are not easily visible and the bottom of the pool seems moldy, then you are probably ignoring your swimming pool’s health.
Wait, don’t worry this can be easily fixed with some simple steps! But before we go ahead and tackle the pollutants, let’s first understand, how does our pool get so filthy in the first place?
Sources of Contamination in swimming pools
So, what are the reasons for your swimming pool turning into a pool of dirt and bacteria? The most common and obvious one is, multiple people swimming in the pool, bacteria from saliva, excretion products, pollution from swimwear, skin tissue, sebum, sweat, nose and throat saliva, hairs, cosmetics, and ammonia.
Apart from this very obvious reason, there are others like –
– Animals swim in the pool, especially when it is very hot, and they want to cool off a bit (this mostly applies to pet owners).
– Insects, reptiles, and wild animals like frogs, lizards, and spiders drowning in the pool.
– Mud, dirt, dust, leaves, grass, and other common nature debris are found around the area close to your pool. The wind plays a huge role in carrying this debris into the pool.
Now, to ensure your swimmer’s health, the most common method is to chlorinate the pool. But before you settle on this method, let’s take some time to understand what effects chlorine can have on our bodies and health.
How does chlorine affect the body?
Chlorine is a chemical that is commonly used to destroy germs and get rid of debris. Regular chlorination in adequate amounts will help keep your pool spick and span, but the level of chlorine in the pool needs to be monitored.
Over-chlorination will definitely get rid of the dirt in the pool but can be very harmful to those swimming in it.
People who regularly swim in chlorinated pools often face issues like asthma, allergies affecting the nose, eyes, and throat, irritated skin, and tummy issues. But skipping chlorine is not the solution, because that will allow the contamination in the swimming pool to get out of control.
A swimming pool can be a hub of bodily fluids, germs, and debris, and chlorine is the most adept chemical to deal with these. But, on the flip side, it can cause irritated eyes and skin, dry hair, and itchy scalp, and can also cause wrinkles quicker.
This happens because when you swim in chlorinated water, the chlorine gets absorbed into the body. The bad effects of chlorine can start showing differently in different people, but know that the symptoms will come sooner or later.
Some tips for reducing these effects of chlorine on the body are rinsing off and washing your body with soap right after swimming to get rid of the chlorine residue. Then apply a mild moisturizer to hydrate your skin.
To avoid irritating eyes, always wear swimming goggles. If you have dry hair, it is a good idea to oil your hair and wear a swim cap before you dive in.
Apart from all the above causes that affect health, pool pump noise is also one of the major problem that affect your health by loud noise. So, we offer a wide range of poop pump cover to reduce noise.
Health effects of swimming pool disinfection
As important as it is to disinfect your pool regularly, it is also important to be aware of its the side-effects. Too much chlorine in the water means a very high pH, which is not good for the body, however by being informed about healthy chlorine levels and taking the necessary precautions and after-care steps to protect yourself from the by-products of chlorination, you can combat some of the cons to some extent.
In conclusion, there is no way you can escape pool disinfection if you don’t want your pool to turn into a breeding space of filth. But what you can do, as responsible pool owners, is not use too many chlorine-based disinfectants in the pool, which will lead to unhealthy chlorine levels.
The results of over-chlorination can be dire, and even if you don’t immediately notice the repercussions, they will totally be visible in the future.
To escape this stress, you can consider installing natural saltwater pools. Although that too has its pros and cons, the effect on the body is way better than regular chlorinated pools.
Additional Read Health Benefits of Swimming Pool (Comprehensive Guide)