A study conducted by University of Illinois researchers found that swimming pool disinfectants have the potential to cause genetic damage to mammalian cells, posing a risk to frequent swimmers, Biotechdaily.com reported.
The researchers used a mammalian cell genotoxicity-analysis technique to compare samples of swimming pool water to tap water, the article stated.
They found that disinfectants in pool water interact with disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursors that include natural organic substances in addition to inputs from bathers through urine, sweat, hair, skin and consumer products including cosmetics and sunscreens.
All of the disinfected pool water samples were found to induce more genomic DNA damage than the source tap water, according to the story.
“Care should be taken in selecting disinfectants to treat recreational pool water,” said senior author Dr. Michael Plewa, professor of genetics at the University of Illinois. “The data suggest that brominating agents should be avoided as disinfectants of recreational pool water. The best method to treat pool waters is a combination of UV treatment with chlorine as compared to chlorination alone.”
Ian: And what else do the majority of us expose daily to chlorine, chloramines and pharmaceuticals? Our intestine.Hmm..
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