The Chlorination as a Disinfectant in Swimming Pools Water: Health Effects in Swimmers

Abstract

Chlorine is an important factor of disinfection water in swimming pools and used extensively over the past decades. The most commonly used product is the sodiumorcalcium hypochlorite, but other chlorine compounds such as dichloroisocyanurateorchlorine gas are sometimes used. Nowadays there is an attempt across Europe to lower the use of chlorine by aparallel use of ozone, but in Greece the utilization of chlorine is dominantin nearly all swimming pools that operate such assports areas and recreational choices. The literature revie, highlighted by the majority of studies the harmful importance of chlorinemainly in indoor swimming pools and proposed alternative disinfection methods such as ionization. This does notdetract
from the significance of chlorine as a disinfectant, but high point the appropriate measures (pre-washing, keeping hygiene, proper ventilation), so as to maximize the benefits of its use.