Non-respiratory symptoms
A wide spectrum of dermatoses of various etiologies (infectious, traumatic, irritant, allergic, neoplastic etc.) are listed in the context of regular swimming-pools use or aquatic sports performance47. Xerosis is one of the most frequent condition experienced by swimmers48, and especially among those with sensitive and eczematous skin49. The dryness effect is particularly pronounced in atopic skin, since the threshold residual chlorine concentration required for considerable drop in water-holding properties is significantly lower than in healthy subjects (0.5 mg/l vs. 2.0 mg/l, respectively)34, possibly explaining why the higher probability of skin symptoms compared to other disinfection methods (bromine, ozone, UV lamps and salt electrolysis)49. Also eye symptoms are more significantly associated with chlorine-disinfected pools, comparing with other disinfection methods49 and often listed as a common problem in competitive swimmers. The risk of otitis externa in swimmers and polo players was higher than in soccer players50.