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Is a saltwater swimming pool better for you than a normal chlorinated swimming pool?
Results so far:
| Saltwater | 73% | 178 votes | Total: 245 votes | |
| Normal | 27% | 67 votes |
Saltwater
by Kimberley Heit
Created on: August 04, 2008 Last Updated: September 30, 2008
Definitely!
Saltwater pools are far better for your health than chlorinated swimming pools because they eliminate the need for as many toxic chemicals. A saltwater pool converts regular salt into natural liquid chlorine. Chlorine as a chemical form consists of added chemicals to help stabilize the product; these additives cause irritation to the skin, eyes, hair and adversely affect allergy sufferers.
One of the primary additives used in a chlorine filtration system is cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid is necessary to prevent the active component in chlorine from being destroyed by the sun. Unfortunately in high doses this additive is known to have toxic side effects to humans. These range from reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Generally speaking the dose required for pool maintenance is very low, however many studies have found that a lot of pools have higher percentages then the required levels. In addition it is unknown what effect regular exposure to low doses over many years could produce.
Chlorine in itself is a highly effective way to maintain a pools correct PH level, but this is due to the fact that it destroys anything organic in its path. People's skin, hair and eyes are organic matter. The skin and hair act like a sponge to chlorine absorbing it readily. If you have ever been swimming within a few days of getting a haircut it is quite common that a hairdresser can still feel the chlorine in your hair.
Besides not requiring stabilizers, a saltwater filtration system does not require as great an output of chlorine to maintain a suitable PH level. This is because salt produces a natural algae reducing effect. This means that it is far more beneficial for the health of the swimmer. The benefits of swimming in a saltwater pool include:
-No red irritated eyes
-No itchy irritated skin
-Less harsh on your hair
-Less likely to cause negative side effects for allergy sufferers such as asthmatics.
In addition to the benefits for swimmers, saltwater pools are healthier to maintain. For a chlorine filtration system the pool owner has to handle and store a toxic substance. A pool owner with a saltwater filtration system only has to store and handle standard salt. This means they are not exposed to breathing in or spilling straight chlorine over their skin. Chlorine is also a flammable substance and can pose a fire risk during storage, whereas salt does not.
Saltwater pools offer many other benefits. Firstly your swimwear will last longer in a saltwater pool because chlorine is one of the major contributors when it comes to swimwear fading and disintegrating. Secondly saltwater pools are much more pleasant to swim in. They have nice, clear water free of the horrible taste and smell associated with chlorine pools.
It has been established that a saltwater filtration system is a lot healthier both for swimmers and the people who maintain pools. If you care about the effects on your skin, hair, eyes and allergies choose a saltwater filtration system over a chlorine one!
Learn more about this author, Kimberley Heit.
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Normal
by Max Teslya
Created on: December 29, 2010
Normal pool water is much better for the swimmer.
Swimming is an amazing sport that requires hard work and good training. Many swimmers may start off on the school team and later join a club team. One of the choices a swimmer must face when choosing a club is the type of pool they prefer.
Swim clubs either have a saltwater pool or a regular chlorine pool. Although both have their advantages and disadvantages, the choice mostly remains on the type of swimmer.
The first type of swimmer is a pleasurable swimmer who only intends to swim for fun and not competitively. In this case the best pool type would be a saltwater pool. Saltwater pools are easier to swim in as there are not as many chemicals. This makes these types of pools much healthier and safer. It also means that the swimmer will not have to worry about all the stress of chlorine in hair or in your pores.
On the other hand, a competitive swimmer would greatly benefit more from a chlorine pool.
It is a known fact that saltwater is much more buoyant than chlorine. This means that the swimmer will float on the water and feel lighter. Although this prospect seems very amusing and pleasant, it will be the downfall of a competitive swimmer. Swimming very fast in a chlorine pool does not mean they will swim the same speed in a chlorine pool. In a chlorine pool a swimmer feels resistance from all the water and all the chemicals. That means a regular swimmer will have more strength and power from swimming in a chlorine pool.
Although two swimmers from the two different pool may have similar times if they same in their respective pools, the chlorine pool swimmer is technically faster.
If these two swimmers were to race each other in the chlorine pool, the chlorine swimmer will always win. This is because a saltwater swimmer with the same time would feel resistance from the chemicals that they are not used to and thus would not be able to swim as fast as their usual. So the chlorine pool swimmer would win. Also, if the same two swimmers were to swim again in a saltwater pool, the chlorine swimmer would still win. This time he would win for the opposite reason. A chlorine swimmer is stronger because of the resistance of chemicals. In a saltwater pool there are none of these chemicals and he would feel much lighter. So he would speed across the water faster than in his regular pool and manage to win.
So if you are a swimmer who wishes to continue on as a competitive swimmer, then the chlorine pool club is the best place for you. If you are a pleasure swimmer, then choose the saltwater pool. Good luck and happy swimming.
Learn more about this author, Max Teslya.
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