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Writer's pictureTonya Latino

Chlorine, It's a bad one.


P O O L S + T O X I N S


⚠️ Chlorine


“Chlorine used to disinfect swimming pools is widely recognized as a health hazard. New research suggests that children who swim frequently in chlorinated pools may have increased risks of developing allergies or asthma. Among adults exposure to chlorine in swimming pools has been linked with other health problems including bladder and rectal cancer and, possibly, an increased risk for coronary heart disease.


The latest on this comes from a study in Belgium, which found that teens who spent more than 1,000 hours swimming in chlorinated pools had more than eight times the risk of developing asthma or allergies, compared to kids who usually swam in pools using a copper-silver disinfecting method.


A total of 847 youngsters between 13 and 18 took part in the study – 114 of them mainly swam in pools disinfected with a copper-silver ion system. The number of kids who developed asthma increased in proportion to their exposure to chlorinated pools. Those who swam for 100 to 500 hours had almost twice the risk of developing asthma; while those who spent 500 to 1,000 hours had just over twice the risk; and asthma cases nearly quadrupled among those who spent more than 1,000 hours in chlorinated pools compared to teens who swam in non-chlorinated ones.


The Belgian researchers also found that the risks of hay fever and other allergies more than doubled with significant exposure to chlorinated pools. The study was published in the online issue of Pediatrics on Sept. 14, 2009. {link to study: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marc-Nickmilder/publication/26810086_Impact_of_Chlorinated_Swimming_Pool_Attendance_on_the_Respiratory_Health_of_Adolescents/links/00463534ed0b766da4000000/Impact-of-Chlorinated-Swimming-Pool-Attendance-on-the-Respiratory-Health-of-Adolescents.pdf }


Another Belgian study, published in 2003, showed that an irritant released when chlorinated water reacts with urine, sweat or other organic matter from swimmers increased the risk of asthma among children who regularly swam in public pools. This irritant, trichloramine, is believed to damage the cellular barrier that protects the lungs. Blood samples showed elevated trichloramine levels even among individuals who sat at the side of pools but didn’t swim.


I’ve long believed that inhaling chlorine fumes that accumulate above and around pools is unhealthy. Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent and irritant, harmful to eyes and skin, the respiratory passages and lungs.”


- Dr Weil https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/healthy-living/dangers-of-chlorine/


💧 💧 💧 💧 💧 💧


✅ A safer choice according to Weil:


💦 A silver/copper ion generator for pool:

https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/healthy-living/dangers-of-chlorine/


✅ Another safe option to clean the pool:


💦 35% hydrogen peroxide


https://www.weedemandreap.com/convert-pool-natural-swimming-pool-hydrogen-peroxide/?fbclid=IwAR30MU1NFEQssKgwcJpAhwlYW4a33Wzs_W8jjliTgYgFDoMPDx4a8XZnJvc


Did you know that by taking vitamin C (ascorbic acid) internally and using a vitamin C solution topically can reduce a lot of exposure to chlorine?


If you ARE exposed to chlorine this summer, here is something you can use to neutralize the chlorine:


“DIY Dechlorinating Lotion


1/2 cup almond or olive oil

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup beeswax

2 tablespoons warm water

2 teaspoons vitamin C powder

Optional: 2 tablespoons shea butter or cocoa butter

Optional: Essential Oils, vanilla extract, or other natural extracts to suit your preference


1. Combine oils and beeswax in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives or other foods.


2. In another small jar or bowl, add the vitamin c powder to the warm water and stir until dissolved.


3. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place the jar with the oils inside the saucepan and turn on medium heat.


4. As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, pour into a small blender or food processor. (Keep in the jar if using an immersion blender that will fit in the top of the jar.)


5. With blender or food processor on, slowly add the water/vitamin C mixture until blended and emulsified.


6. Store in an air-tight glass jar.


7. Use before swimming (preferably after rinsing skin) to minimize chlorine exposure. This is purposefully a small batch since no preservatives are used and it will only last one swim season.


8. Enjoy and be chlorine free!”


Source for DIY Dechlorinating Lotion:

https://wellnessmama.com/10658/minimize-swimming-chlorine-exposure/

Original post: Green & Healthy Mom


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