Page 20 - HOH

In addition to making sure kids are well-supervised when in the water, the CDC this week is
focusing on potentially unseen health hazards. Chemicals like chlorine are added to pool water
to kill germs and stop them from spreading. However, mishandling pool chemicals can cause
injuries, the CDC states.

Operators of public pools, hot tubs/spas, or water playgrounds — and owners of residential
pools or hot tubs/spas — can take steps to prevent pool chemical injuries, such as reading and
following directions on product labels of pool chemicals before using them, the agency

emphasizes.

The CDC does not mince words in its warning to swimmers and parents of young swimmers or
kids just flopping around in the water.

“When swimmers don’t shower before getting in pools, hot tubs/spas, or water playgrounds —

or pee in the water — free chlorine (the form of chlorine that kills germs) combines with pee,
poop, sweat, dirt, and personal care products,” states the CDC. “This means there is less free
chlorine to kill germs and (as a result) unwanted chemical compounds are produced.”

One of those unwanted chemical compounds is a group of irritants called chloramines, which
can makes eyes red and sting, skin irritation and rashes, and respiratory problems, the agency
states. These chloramines are different from the type of chloramine that is sometimes used to
treat our drinking water.

With the start of rainy season in June, standing water can also become a health issue in certain

neighborhoods that can easily flood. Floodwater may be full of bacteria, viruses and parasites
that can lead to different types of infections, especially for kids or teens who might be tempted
to play in that standing water.

“Children are especially vulnerable to chemicals that disrupt normal growth and development,”
said Fernando Mendoza, M.D., medical director of the Children’s Emergency Center at Baptist
Children’s Hospital and associate medical director of Pediatric Emergency Services at West
Kendall Baptist Hospital. “Additionally, their brains are highly susceptible to the neurotoxic
chemicals that can be present in floodwater, so it is imperative to keep them out of it.”

Tips for Healthy Swimming