Chlorine is the most common water treatment to kill bacteria living within it, which causes diseases like cholera and typhoid. Chlorine affects the skin and hair. However, you wouldn’t dare to go into a pool without it. Chlorine is not only added to swimming pools but also often found in tap water. The common ways one can get exposed to chlorine is absorption through the skin from water and air, drinking of water and breathing in fumes created from chlorine
Benefits Of Chlorine In Water
- Protects us from bacteria
Adding chlorine to swimming pools is very good for us because it keeps bacteria away from us. It gives a smoother and less oily skin which in turn lowers the rate of acne breakout on your face
- Used as a disinfectant
Chlorine can kill pathogens such as bacteria and viruses by breaking their chemical bonds.
- Functions As an Antiseptic
Chlorine in the right quantity is commonly used as an antiseptic and is used to make drinking water taste better and safe to drink.
- Raw materials to Industries
Industries that produce paper products, plastics, dyes, textiles, medicines, antiseptics, insecticides, solvents, and paints, need a huge amount of chlorine in their industrial process.
Effects Of Excessive Use Of Chlorine
- Chlorinated water destroys most intestinal friendly bacteria that help with the digestion of food and the production of vitamin B12 and K.
- Dr. Ana Duarte, the director of dermatology at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, presumed "too much chlorine can cause a lot of skin irritation’’ Over chlorinated pool, causes eye irritations, dries out hair and skin by getting rid of natural oils.
- It is not healthy for asthmatic patients. Excess chlorine in a pool sometimes causes a small amount of vapor to come out of the water which triggers asthma
Precautions To Take
- Invest in chlorine filters to ensure a proper chlorine removal, especially a carbon block water filter to make your drinking water safe for your children and family. Chlorine filters protect against chlorine and sulfur.
- Keep your skin hydrated. Taking your bath or shower should be made short. For competitive swimmers and pool-loving kids, it is always advisable to use moisturizers after swimming to keep their skin hydrated and nourished.
- Make sure your hair is wet. Dry hair absorbs chlorine directly into the hair shaft; you can help yourself by ensuring your hair is wet in order to slow down its absorption of chlorine
- Experts believe that frequent exposure to chlorine can aggravate its effect on the skin, so if you swim often, make sure you take a break at least once or twice a week.
- In conclusion, we all know excessive use of anything is bad; excessive exposure to chlorine has long term effect on the skin. If our level of exposure and intake of chlorine is properly paid attention combined with the use of chlorine remover and chlorine filter, we will all benefit from the usefulness of chlorine.
