Quote Originally Posted by fcfrey
There is a controversy regarding the "Safe" Chlorine level for swimming.

Most of what I have read says below 5 ppm otherwise chlorine can be absorbed through the skin and is hazardous to your health.

The rub comes when the CYA level is above 50 it takes a higher level (6 to 15 ppm) of free chlorine to sanitize.

HELP!!!

My bathing suit fading is minor compared to health problems from chlorine being absorbed while I'm swimming in a sanitized pool.
No controversy HERE! We think those other sites are full of beans--and we have the evidence to back it up.

"Safe" levels from government agencies and such are frequently contradictory--it's not safe to swim in water with FC > 3ppm, but it's safe to DRINK water with FC = 4ppm...See what I mean? It just doesn't make sense.

On Ben's PoolSolutions.com web site is an article documenting what happened in Parugway when they stopped using chlorine in drinking water to reduce chlorine related cancers. It worked, but the number of water borne disease deaths jumped to TEN TIMES what the chlorine hazard had been--and the incidents of water-borne diseases became epidemic. So are you more concerned about a VERY low risk from chlorine, or an almost CERTAIN risk from unsanitary water.

My choice is to take the chlorine risk.