Dr. Andrew Weil, one of America's most preeminent doctors and public-health spokespeople, ends his most recent online newsletter with the claim, "Chlorine-based disinfection of swimming pools is obsolete." See
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA361110/dangers-of-chlorine.html
In response to a reader's question, he reviews the dangers of chlorine on children (asthma, hay fever and other allergies) as well as adults (bladder and rectal cancer and, possibly, an increased risk for coronary heart disease). He cites a Belgian study published just this last September in the Journal Pediatrics, as well as a 2003 Belgian study on the effects of trichloramine. The recent study compared the effects of chlorine against a "copper-silver disinfecting method". He says that his own pool uses a silver-copper ion generator and ends with his statement that chlorine is obsolete.
I know that his conclusion and recommendation goes against the "standard wisdom" espoused by TFP, so I would be interested in seeing some responses to his newsletter and the recent study.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA361110/dangers-of-chlorine.html
In response to a reader's question, he reviews the dangers of chlorine on children (asthma, hay fever and other allergies) as well as adults (bladder and rectal cancer and, possibly, an increased risk for coronary heart disease). He cites a Belgian study published just this last September in the Journal Pediatrics, as well as a 2003 Belgian study on the effects of trichloramine. The recent study compared the effects of chlorine against a "copper-silver disinfecting method". He says that his own pool uses a silver-copper ion generator and ends with his statement that chlorine is obsolete.
I know that his conclusion and recommendation goes against the "standard wisdom" espoused by TFP, so I would be interested in seeing some responses to his newsletter and the recent study.