• Question: If chlorine strips electrons off other atoms, does that mean it is dangerous to swim too much in chlorine pools and is that what makes your eyes sting?

    Asked by iamaniamscat to Alan, Caspar, Diana, Murray, Sarah on 24 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Caspar Addyman

      Caspar Addyman answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      Aha, I was wondering when we would get a question about Chlorine.

      Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer. Sarah will be able to tell you I think.

    • Photo: Diana Drennan

      Diana Drennan answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      If you were to swim in straight chlorine, yes it would be dangerous. But the chlorine in a pool is very dilute, so it’s not that dangerous. I answered a question about what makes it sting your eyes here /chlorinem11-zone/2011/03/why-does-your-eyes-hurt-sow-much-when-u-get-chlorine-in-them

    • Photo: Alan Winfield

      Alan Winfield answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      Well I’m afraid I don’t know the detailed chemistry (or bio-chemistry) but Chlorine dissolved in swimming pools irritates the thin layer of transparent skin that covers your eyes. That’s what makes them sting. In fact I have mild eczema and I find that if the chlorine levels are too high it makes parts of my body red and itchy, especially my face. It’s the reason I don’t like public swimming baths so much.

      ps. Here’s a factoid. If the chlorine levels are too high in swimming pools it can make blonde hair turn slightly green!

    • Photo: Sarah Thomas

      Sarah Thomas answered on 24 Mar 2011:

      The salt in tears protects your eyes in the pool. Its not the chlorine that hurts your eyes, its the pH of water. your eyes prefer to be slightly alkaline (pH 7.2 – 7.5) but sometimes pool water can be slightly acidic and this makes your eyes feel dried out. Best to wear goggles in the pool i think, even though they give you marks on your face! at least mine do!

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