There are several side effects to swimming in a pool with too much chlorine. The side effects include irritation of the eyes, skin and lungs, dry skin, hair and nails and in some cases, even chlorine poisoning.

In pools chlorine is used to keep them hygienic and to kill any bacteria the water contains. It is very important to keep your swimming pool clean to minimize any possible health risks. It is also necessary to check whether your pool does not have too much chlorine.

The following are a few possible side effects to see if a swimming pool contains too much chlorine:

Are your eyes red/irritated?

Chloramine is the strong smell that comes from chlorine; this may cause your eyes to look red, be itchy, stingy and irritated. However, this can also be a sign that the pool does not contain enough chlorine.

Irritated lungs

If the chlorine level in the pool is not balanced, it can cause lung irritation. Chloramine and chlorine are both gases that can become dangerous if too many of them are in the pool. This can become especially dangerous with asthma. Further irritation includes nasal and also symptoms such as coughing can be due to the out-of-balance chlorine levels.

Dryness of hair, skin and nails

This will probably not be a big problem if you do not swim regularly in a pool with chlorine. However, if you`re someone who swims very often over time, you will notice that the chlorine affects your hair, skin and nails; it makes them drier. Especially if you swim in a pool that contains too much chlorine regularly, you will notice the dryness. This happens due to chlorine stripping oils from your skin, hair and nails.

Chlorine Poisoning

A more severe side effect would be chlorine poisoning. Although this is quite rare, it is still essential to check if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision
•  Red and blistered skin
• Burning in the nose, throat and eyes
• Coughing and difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting

If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to get out of the pool. If these symptoms do not fade or worsen, see a doctor.

Skin Rashes/Irritation

Chlorine is a powerful chemical that should be carefully measured when used for keeping a pool clean. In some cases, too much chlorine can cause skin irritation. “Irritant dermatitis” is a sort of chemical burn and is caused due to hypersensitivity to the chemical. Symptoms would be red, itchy skin or itchy bumps.

Most public swimming pools will have a balanced level of chlorine, but if you experience any previously listed symptoms, it is better to get out of the pool to prevent serious health risks. Always shower before and after the swimming pool to keep the pool and yourself as safe as possible.

Keeping your pool safe for swimming

To keep your pool safe for swimming, you can always check the chemical levels using a pool test strip. If you have too much chlorine in your pool, you could do a few things to decrease it.

   1. Stop adding more chlorine! 

The first and most obvious step is to stop adding more chlorine, lowering the chlorine levels over time.

2. Chemical agents to reduce chlorine levels 

Otherwise, there are other chemical agents to reduce chlorine levels. This is an excellent solution if you want to minimise chlorine as quick as possible.

The two different agents you could use are Sodium Thiosulfate and Pool-Grade Hydrogen Peroxide, do be cautious to test the ph levels of your pool after using these agents.

3. Drain your pool

Another option would be to try and drain some water and refill the pool to try and rebalance the chlorine levels to a good level again.

As mentioned previously, is it highly unlikely for you to get any serious health risks from swimming in a pool with too much chlorine if you do not swim regularly. Additionally, most public swimming pools are well maintained, and by following the tips to keep your pool safe for swimming, you will not have to worry about too much chlorine in your pool.

Stay safe and enjoy!!

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