We have seen that association between swimming and asthma so often over the past 10 to 20 years that it is one of those things we begin to take for granted. But be alert to the fact that just because something is repeated over and over does not necessarily mean it is true. If you thought that swimming led to exercise-induced asthma, here’s a perspective you should know about.

It’s the Chemicals, Not the Exercise

In a post dated December 8, 2011 in About.com, Allan Finney updates a report on 10-year old research into the connection between swimming and asthmatic symptoms. The basic finding is that the chlorine used to sanitize the test pools had “harmful side effects” in the form of chemical byproducts that interfered with normal lung function. In the words of the article:

The problem isn’t the chlorine, but what chlorine turns into when combined with organics. The organics are contributed by bathers in the pool in the form of sweat, dander, urine and other organics. The chlorine reacts with the organics and produces nitrogen trichloride, aldehydes, halogenated hydrocarbons, chloroform, trihalomethanes and chloramines.

This research has been repeated and supported many times over the years. Even though we know the problem is worse in indoor pools, we also know that chlorine byproducts are harmful (and we have posted on chlorine disinfection byproducts a number of times).

Swimming in Itself is Great Exercise

According to one asthma-related website, “swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for people with asthma because it usually causes the least amount of chest tightness.” Many physicians single out swimming as one of the very best exercises you can do. It induces the right kind of cardiovascular workout for heart health, and it is easier on the muscles and joints than almost any other form of exercise. If the problem with pools is a chemical threat, the solution is to keep swimming but without all the chemicals.

Ozone Oxidizes Organics in Pools

Here’s one of the basic advantages of ozone pool sanitation: ozone is a powerful antimicrobial oxidizer. The “sweat, dander, urine and other organics” Finney’s article mentions are destroyed by ozone, thereby reducing the potential production of hazardous chlorine byproducts.

In addition, ozone pool sanitation allows you to maintain healthy pool water with far fewer chemicals to begin with, providing water that is fresher smelling and feeling. This is a virtuous cycle that allows you to enjoy the benefits of swimming without the dangers of chemical byproducts.