Swimming in chlorinated pools is a healthy passive exercise for many people, however, research indicates that compounds produced during chlorine disinfection may pose serious health risks for some. Now, scientists have published a study in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology, finding a safer alternative to disinfection that removes the potential health hazards created by chlorine disinfection.
Chlorinated pools react with organic compounds from swimmers like urine, cosmetics, and sweat. These disinfection byproducts have been linked to respiratory issues, bladder cancer, pregnancy and birth complications. Researchers have now developed a copper-silver ionization (CSI) technology to decrease disinfection byproducts and cell toxicity of chlorinated swimming pool water. Susan Richardson and colleagues demonstrated that CSI could lower chlorine levels and disinfect pool water while also reducing DBP formation and toxicity.