Dangers of chlorine as swimming pool disinfectant
In reference to your story 'Quality of public pools denounced' (South China Morning Post, July 19), the public has from time to time read about the hazards of chlorination.
Chlorine gas is a poisonous and highly caustic chemical. Its chemical compound residues (chloramines) in water are well known for many unpleasant and harmful side effects such as irritation to eyes, respiratory tract and skin; loss of hair lustre and even a possible cause of baldness.
Chlorine is used as pool-water disinfectant because of its effectiveness.
Accidents from the escape of chlorine fumes can occur to pool maintenance personnel in handling organic and inorganic chlorine.
The carcinogenic potential of trihalomethanes (formed by the reaction of chlorine with organic compounds in water) to cause bladder and colonic cancer to those at risk, such as people with poor health, on special drug therapy and Aids sufferers, is well documented.
Because of these, our municipal councils have introduced the complementary ozone technology to reduce chlorine consumption by public pools since 1994.
Regrettably they still rely heavily on the outdated chlorine as residual pool-water antiseptic sourced from sodium hypochloride (bleaching solution) and electrolysis of common salt.
There is now a much better substitute for chlorine: a bromine compound (BCDMH) that has been well tested and used in many developed nations for its less harmful properties.
It is hard to change from the habit of chlorinating pools, besides the bureaucratic red tape this would entail.
However, for public safety and comfort, responsible authorities should realise that now is the time to act.
KING Y. S. HO Sha Tin
