FAQ's

[Group 1]
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Emergency Preparedness and Response: Facts about Chlorine.  https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/chlorine/basics/facts.asp. Accessed, December 23, 2021.

Materials developed by CDC. Reference to specific commercial products, manufacturers, companies, or trademarks does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This material is otherwise available on the agency website for no charge.

• Chlorine is an element used in industry and found in some household products
• Chlorine is sometimes in the form of a poisonous gas. Chlorine gas can be pressurized and cooled to change it into a liquid so that it can be shipped and stored. When liquid chlorine is released, it quickly turns into a gas that stays close to the ground and spreads rapidly.
• Chlorine gas can be recognized by its pungent, irritating odor, which is like the odor of bleach. The strong smell may provide adequate warning to people that they are exposed.
• Chlorine gas appears to be yellow-green in color.
• Chlorine itself is not flammable, but it can react explosively or form explosive compounds with other chemicals such as turpentine and ammonia.

Long-term complications may occur after breathing in high concentrations of chlorine. Complications are more likely to be seen in people who develop severe health problems such as fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) following the initial exposure. [1]

[Group 15]
[15] The Department of Community Health. (January 2004). Chlorine Public Fact Sheet. State of Michigan.  https://www.michigan.gov/documents/Chlorine_factsheet_82357_7.pdf.

Materials developed by State of Michigan: The Department of Community Health. Reference to specific commercial products, manufacturers, companies, or trademarks does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, or State of Michigan: The Department of Community Health. This material is otherwise available on the agency website for no charge.

• Short-term exposures to low levels of chlorine in the air rarely lead to any long-lasting lung changes. Any exposure from smelling appropriately treated drinking water or swimming pool water is not harmful.
• Acute exposure to high concentrations of chlorine can lead to a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and severe shortness of breath that could lead to death if untreated. Immediately or within a few hours after breathing chlorine gas, the lungs can become irritated, causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. The amount of time before these symptoms occur is dependent on the amount of chlorine to which one is exposed. (The higher the amount one is exposed to, the shorter the amount of time before symptoms are seen.) Exposure may result in nose and throat irritation, watery eyes, coughing, bloody nose, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and/or lightheadedness.
• Drinking a chlorine solution can cause vomiting, nausea, and throat and stomach irritation. The vomit is likely to have a chlorine smell to it.
• Contact with chlorine gas can severely burn and irritate the eyes and skin upon contact, possibly causing permanent damage. Liquid chlorine solutions (such as bleach) can have vapors that are irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. Chlorine bleach can cause irritation to exposed skin.
• When chlorine vapor or solution comes into contact with moist tissues (such as those found in the nose, eyes, throat, and lungs), it forms an acid (hydrochloric acid) and can damage the exposed tissue.
• Contact with chlorine liquid (gas kept under pressure) can cause frostbite and chemical burns to the skin.
• The elderly, smokers, and persons with chronic pulmonary disease may be at greatest risk for breathing problems following acute exposure

[Group 16]
[16] The New Jersey Department of Health. (November 2007, Rev.: October 2015). Chlorine Public Fact Sheet. State of New Jersey.  https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0367.pdf.

Materials developed by State of New Jersey: The New Jersey Department of Health. Reference to specific commercial products, manufacturers, companies, or trademarks does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, or State of New Jersey: The New Jersey Department of Health. This material is otherwise available on the agency website for no charge.

Allergies
Asthma
Bronchitis
Chest Tightness
Coughing
Damage to Teeth
Dizziness
Headache
Hoarseness of throat
Loss of Voice
Nausea & Vomiting
Pulmonary Edema
Shortness of Breath
Skin Rash
Swelling & Blisters
Wheezing

Considerations

Possible Answers

YMCA chlorine accidents expose people to it's toxins and led everyone to evacuate immediately. August 5, 2022 - Friday in Pennsylvania 81 people evacuated with 21 injured, 20 sent to hospitals, and 10-20 experienced a reaction. July 13, 2022 - Wednesday in Youngstown, Ohio 3 people were exposed by the gases. September 20,2021 - Monday in New Rochelle, New York about a dozen people were exposed and taken to the hospital. August 2, 2017 - Wednesday in Durham, North Carolina the gas leakage affected 40 children ages 6-12 yrs. old as well as two adults. 6 were considered to have serious conditions. * Disclaimer:  The dates above provided by the publication.

A gas leakage possibly occurred if someone had unintentionally mixed the wrong chemicals. From one accident it's believed that aluminum sulfate could have caused this reaction.

Considerations	Possible Answers
Michael Skinner, reported that short-term exposure of pregnant rats to several kinds of chemicals caused ovarian disease not just in their daughters but also in two subsequent generations of females.	Recent evidence suggests that the molecular influence of the environment may extend well beyond the interaction with the DNA sequence.

Considerations	Possible Answers
Studies indicate chemicals can also be inhaled and absorbed through the skin during showering and bathing.	Small amounts can pass through the skin when people are exposed to chlorine gas, bleach, or come into contact with water or soil containing high levels of chlorine although, it is eliminated from the body rapidly.

Considerations	Possible Answers
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified chlorine as to its human carcinogenicity.	It's possibly unlikely because no cancer or reproductive effects have been reported from chronic exposure to chlorine.

Considerations	Possible Answers
The long-term effects of chlorine on swimmers are relatively unknown, but The Centers for Disease Control have cited negative effects of chlorine overexposure to chlorine on a person’s health. Among the most alarming of these are blurred vision, respiratory issues, and asthma.	Long-term exposure to low levels of chlorine gas is potentially linked to diseases of the lung (bronchitis, shortness of breath, possible permanent damage) and tooth corrosion.

Considerations	Possible Answers
The amount of chemicals one is exposed to, the route of exposure (breathing, touching, etc.), and the length of time of the exposure all affect the degree of the reaction.	Exposure to low levels of chlorine can result in nose, throat, and eye irritation. At higher levels, breathing chlorine gas may result in changes in breathing rate and coughing, and damage to the lungs. If exposed to gas burning pain, redness, and blisters on the skin can occur and skin injuries similar to frostbite if exposed to liquid chlorine.

Considerations	Possible Answers
More than 1,000 workplace chemicals have been shown to have reproductive effects on animals although, most have not been studied in humans.	Several studies have shown increased risks of male subfertility and that pesticides may directly damage spermatozoa, but results from more recent studies are inconsistent, and no uniform conclusion can be drawn about the effects of pesticides on male reproduction.

Surface Bacteria Films (also known as Biofilm) form when single free-floating bacteria in its planktonic form attach themselves to surfaces within the pool and circulation system where they begin to colonize and produce a protective film highly resistant to the chemicals added to your pool’s water. Due to this high resistance and lack of mobility, Ozone, Ionizers and chlorine have little to no effects. As these colonies mature they begin to disperse a continuous re-supply of new single free-floating bacteria within the pool allowing new colonies to form and ultimately requiring increased measures of prevention.

Bacteria that floats around within the pool causing your water to turn green, yellow or black are known as single free-floating bacteria in its planktonic form. This type of bacteria travels freely throughout the circulation system and has low resistance to current methods of bacteria removal from your pool. Which means they can be easily killed. However, Surface Bacteria Films form when these planktonic cells attach themselves to surfaces within the pool and circulation system where they begin to colonize and produce a protective film that is highly resistant to chlorine within your pool’s water. Due to this high resistance and lack of mobility, Ozone, Ionizers and chlorine have little to no effects.

Moisture is the key component for the formation of Biofilm’s and can be found where ever it is present. Within enclosed water systems they will not only be found on the interior enclosure but also within circulation pipes and equipment. The protection that Biofilm’s offer allows these microorganisms to live in the most extreme environments. Here are just a few examples of where you may find Biofilm communities:

Biofilm Habitats

Swimming Pools and Circulation System
Water Cooling Towers
Sewage Treatment Systems  [18]
[18] Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 25). Biofilm. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:55, July 1, 2020, from  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biofilm&oldid=964503139.
Bathroom Sinks & Showers  [18]
[18] Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 25). Biofilm. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:55, July 1, 2020, from  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biofilm&oldid=964503139.
All un-properly treated bodies of water
Hulls of all marine equipment & vessels  [18]
[18] Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 25). Biofilm. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:55, July 1, 2020, from  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biofilm&oldid=964503139.
In and on all sea life
Teeth in the form of dental plaque  [18]
[18] Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 25). Biofilm. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:55, July 1, 2020, from  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biofilm&oldid=964503139.
Even internally of animals and the human body  [18]
[18] Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 25). Biofilm. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:55, July 1, 2020, from  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biofilm&oldid=964503139.
Etcetera, etc . . ., etc . . .

Biofilm’s have been found to develop in a wide variety of microbial infections within the body, by one estimate 80% of all infections. Infectious processes in which biofilms have been implicated include problems such as bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, catheter infections, middle-ear infections, formation of dental plaque, gingivitis, coating contact lenses. In some cases more lethal processes such as endocarditis and infections in cystic fibrosis. [18]

As your pool gets older, more opportunities arise for Surface Bacteria Films to build up on all surfaces within and around your pool (including within the circulation system). Because of Surface Bacteria Film’s high resistance to chlorine within your pool’s water, they stick around and multiply over time. Once the SBF’s reach a certain growth phase they begin to repeatedly shed bacteria cells into the pools environment. This not only produces an undesirable swimming experience, but will also introduce new opportunities for these rouge bacteria cells to colonize in other locations within the circulation system.

[Group 16]
[16] The New Jersey Department of Health. (November 2007, Rev.: October 2015). Chlorine Public Fact Sheet. State of New Jersey.  https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0367.pdf.

Materials developed by State of New Jersey: The New Jersey Department of Health. Reference to specific commercial products, manufacturers, companies, or trademarks does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, or State of New Jersey: The New Jersey Department of Health. This material is otherwise available on the agency website for no charge.

Allergies
Asthma
Bronchitis
Chest Tightness
Coughing
Damage to Teeth
Dizziness
Headache
Hoarseness of throat
Loss of Voice
Nausea & Vomiting
Pulmonary Edema
Shortness of Breath
Skin Rash
Swelling & Blisters
Wheezing

Swimming Pool Chlorine Diseases

Cardiovascular Disease
Dermal - Skin infection
Gastrointestinal Issues - Cryptosporidium
Male Fertility Problems
MRSA
Ocular - Eye infection
Potential for Various Cancers
Respiratory Infections – Legionella