Be careful if a pool smells strongly of chlorine

During the intense heat waves of summer, a cool dip in the pool is a great solution… but be careful, if a pool smells that strong – it's a sign of something nasty.

There are nearly 11 million swimming pools in the United States, including private, public, school and hotel pools. About 36% of children and 15% of adults use the pool at least six times a year. Nothing is more summery than relaxing by the pool with a drink and good music. During summer heat waves, a cool dip is the most refreshing thing you can imagine. But if you use a public pool, you need to be a little cautious and watch out if the pool smells strongly of chlorine.

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A quick check to see if the pool is clean will show clear water, no slime buildup on the edges and bottom, working pool filters, and no strong pool odor. The smell of chlorine makes us think of summer and suggests that the pool is clean. But the CDC advises not to be fooled, and that's not entirely true. In fact, a pool that smells strongly of chemicals and chlorine probably means there are a lot of bacteria and contaminants in it.

Chlorine is added to swimming pools to prevent germs and keep them clean. However, the chemical is still affected by swimmers' bodily waste, such as sweat, feces, urine, deodorant, makeup, and dirt. These contaminants mix with the chlorine to form chloramines, the chemicals responsible for the pool's strong smell. They are more common in pools that are not well ventilated, especially if they are indoors.

Side effects of exposure to chloramine include:

• Nasal irritation, coughing, wheezing
• Triggered asthma attacks
• Red, itchy eyes
• Skin irritations and rashes

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A clean pool should not smell at all and should be a clear, bluish color. If the water is muddy and feels slimy, it means the pool has not been cleaned properly and can harm your skin. It is also important to remember that no matter how annoying and boring it is, you should always shower before getting in the pool to prevent the buildup of more chloramines. Urinating in the pool is also out of the question as this really brings out the chloramines.