The Effects of High Chlorine Levels

Drinking water contains chlorine

Chlorine is a common chemical. It is found in drinking water, pools, cleaning agents, and hot tubs. Its use has successfully minimized salmonella and cholera in drinking water due to its antibacterial qualities. But, it has inherent risks. You can get too much from taking long showers, swimming in pools, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Cancer

The chlorine added to water has byproducts called "chlorinated hydrocarbons" or trihalomethanes (THM's). These have been linked to increased cancer (bladder, colon and rectal) risk according to Kevin Wong from the Canadian Water Quality Association. The Alliance for a Clean Environment, states that organochlorines (chemical with chlorine in them) may increase breast cancer risk.

Asthma

Inhaling too much chlorine from pools, hot tubs, or even extended showers can trigger asthma attacks particularly in children. A study reported in the Pediatrics Journal showed that teenagers exposed to chlorinated pools, had an 80% higher incidence of asthma. If you inhaled 300 ppm for a 30-minute period, it would prove fatal.

Chronic Fatigue

Repeated exposure to chlorine may contribute to severe tiredness and has been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome according to Triangular Wave Technologies. The organochlorines may prove responsible for the development of this condition.

Heart Disease

Chlorine exposure may also increase risk for heart disease according to the Canadian Water Quality Association. It does this by contributing to artherosclerosis according to Dr. Joseph Price, who wrote a book on the subject. He studied the effect of chlorine on chickens and documented that every subject had some level of heart disease as a result.

Other

Chlorine can bleach hair, metal, and swimsuits too. The higher the chlorine level, the more discoloration can happen. Continued exposure to chlorine may also speed up the aging process for your skin according to Trianagular Wave Technologies' website. Inhaling chlorine may cause headaches too.

References

• Triangular Wave Technologies: Chlorine's Adverse Health Effects
• The American Academy of Pediatrics: Impact of Chlorinated Swimming Pool Attendance on the Respiratory Health of Adolescents
• The Canadian Water Quality Association: Chlorine Removal Showerhead Filters

Resources

• The Alliance for a Clean Environment: Chlorine, Human Health, and the Environment