A study published in the June journal Paediatrics found exposure to chemicals in indoor swimming pools could alter the lining of the lungs, predisposing infants to airway disease in later years.
A Belgian Study has found that children who swim in heavily chlorinated pools from a young age are at a significantly higher risk of developing asthma and chronic lung problems.
Children under two are particularly susceptible because their lungs are still developing.
Alfred Bernard, professor of toxicology and Scientific Research at Belgium’s Louvain University conducted studies on 340 children and found the infant swimmers was 50 percent more likely to report wheezing and experiencing shortness of breath and almost one in four developed asthma.
The data published suggests chlorine can be implicated in the world wide epidemic of childhood asthma.
Australia has one of the highest asthma rates in the world, with as many as one in six children suffering from this condition.
The results of Professors Bernard’s study confirm earlier research in which he found a link between chlorine gas in indoor heated swimming pools and a higher occurrence of childhood asthma.
Investigations found that trichloramine – an irritant which formed when chlorine reacts with urine or sweat was as much as 50 per cent higher in the air above indoor heated pools.
The message to all parents is to make sure the facility your child swims at is well ventilated and has good clean water quality.
The alternative to chlorine treated water is the ultra violet filtration system which is chemical free.
Gaylene Lawrence Aquatics Manager Balance Health Club Email: g.lawrence@balancehealth.com.au.