Jun 28, 2025
Story at-a-glance
- Chlorine exposure from pools, tap water and cleaning products creates toxic byproducts like chloramines that damage skin, lungs and eyes, with effects building up over time
- Even low-level chlorine exposure causes respiratory issues, skin irritation and is linked to increased cancer risk
- Chlorine reacts with chemical sunscreens to create hormone-disrupting compounds, while also stripping protective oils from skin and hair during swimming
- Pre-swimming protection includes applying barrier moisturizers like pure lanolin, rinsing with clean water beforehand and wearing protective swimwear to reduce chlorine absorption
- Installing whole-house water filters, using saltwater pools instead of chlorinated ones and immediate post-swim showering significantly reduce harmful chlorine exposure