Most of us associate a long, relaxing soak within the bath with candlelight, soothing music and a couple of drops of our favourite essential oils.
Not many of us stop to believe the risks related to chlorine in our bathwater. Most people do not realize that more chemicals enter our body through skin absorption and inhalation of steam while showering and bathing than does from drinking water.
Chlorine is regarded as one of the most important advances of modern civilization as it disinfects the water and prevents would be outbreaks of waterborne diseases like typhoid, dysentery and cholera that existed in the 1800’s. Chlorine also controls and eliminates the growth of microbes such as Giardia and Ecoli.
New evidence suggests that despite its disinfectant properties, the addition of chlorine to our municipal water may adversely affect our health, especially within the long-term. There is much concern amongst experts about the harmful effects of chlorine. According to the US Council of Environmental Quality, the cancer risk amongst people drinking and absorbing chlorinated water is as much as 93% higher than among those whose water does not contain chlorine”.
Elemental chlorine is extremely reactive and it combines with other natural compounds to form toxic by-products such as THMs (Trihalomethanes) and chlorinated hydrocarbons. TTHMs (Total Trihalomethanes) are a by-product of municipal water disinfection. These chlorine by-products trigger the assembly of free radicals within the body, causing cell damage, and are highly carcinogenic.
Why is bathing in chlorinated water so bad?
* A warm bath opens the skin’s pores and allows for easier absorption of chlorine and other chemicals.
* The steam we inhale while bathing can contain up to 20 times the extent of chlorine and other synthetic chemicals than tap water.
* Inhalation of chlorine and chemical vapors is a suspected cause of bronchitis and asthma in children.
* Chlorine attacks the skin’s natural moisture barrier and dries the skin out.
* Chlorinated water also can irritate the eyes, leaving them red, itchy and burning.
As we become more conscious of the health risks related to chlorine in our water supply, more people every day are turning to water filters to provide them with clean drinking and shower water. Relatively few people are aware that a filter exists to remove virtually all chlorine from their bath water and is appropriately named the bath ball filter.
It doesn’t make much sense to permit chlorinated water to splash everywhere your body, seeping into your eyes, ears and mouth. Bath water filters greatly reduce the symptoms related to chlorine inhalation and irritation by removing more than 90% of chlorine found within the water.
So the next time you decide to have a long, relaxing soak within the bath, simply use your bath ball filter and make your bath experience fun, relaxing and safe again for the whole family.
Andie Klein is a Registered Nurse and webmaster of, where you can get the answers you need about the role of chlorine in tap water, important facts regarding the link between chlorine and cancer, the health benefits of a bath water filter and more.