爲什麼在泳池中聞到氯的氣味並不是件好事?

Turns out, that's not chlorine you can smell at all... There's more to that chlorine smell than meets the nose. Chlorine is one of those smells that's instantly recognisable. Just a whiff of it can conjure up fond (or not so) childhood memories of swimming lessons, galas and days out.

事實證明，你聞到的根本不是氯。你聞到的氣味不止是氯這麼簡單。氯氣的辨識度很高。一丟丟氯氣就能召喚出孩時上游泳課、盛會和出去浪的那些日子的美好回憶。

A sudden blast of chlorine may also remind you that you should probably give your house a quick clean, but it remains that chlorine and swimming pools are forever linked in our minds and noses. But that strong chemical smell isn't all it's cracked up to be... A strong chlorine smell doesn't indicate high levels of chlorine at all, according to the National Swimming Pool Foundation ( ).

突然聞到氯可能會讓你想起，也許該打掃屋子了，但我們的大腦和鼻子卻一直將氯和游泳池聯繫在一起。但這種濃烈的化學氣味並沒有人們所說的那麼好。濃烈的氯氣味兒並不意味着氯含量很高，國家游泳池基金會表示（）。

In fact, it indicates some real nasties lurking in the water. Experts at the Water Quality and Health Council, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and that NSPF said properly treated swimming pools do not have a strong chemical smell.

事實上，這表明水中潛伏着一些髒東西。水質與健康委員會、美國疾病預防與控制中心、國家游泳池基金會的專家表示，經恰當處理的游泳池並不會散發出強烈的化學氣味。

Instead, when chlorine in pool water combines with urine, feces, sweat, and dirt from swimmers' bodies, the mixture produces chemical irritants called chloramines. It's the chloramines that give off that familiar odour, which in fact USE UP chlorine and cause eyes to sting and go red. All of which means there's not much in the way of protection from germs.

相反，當泳池中的氯與游泳者的尿液、糞便、汗水和污垢混合時，混合物會產生化學刺激物，即氯胺。散發出這種氣味的物質是氯胺，實際上會導致眼睛刺痛、紅腫。這些都意味着它幾乎無法保護我們不受細菌感染。

Does this change how you feel about swimming pools? "It's understandable why most people think that a chemical smell means there is too much chlorine in the pool, but the truth could be the opposite," said Chris Wiant, Chair of the Water Quality and Health Council. "To help prevent chloramines from forming where you swim, shower before swimming and take little swimmers on regular bathroom breaks."

這會改變你對泳池的看法嗎？"大人數人覺得這種化學氣味代表着泳池裏的氯過多，這是可以理解的，但真相卻可能恰恰相反，"水質與健康委員會的主席Chris Wiant說道。"爲了防止泳池中氯胺的形成，你可以在游泳前淋浴，帶小孩子在常規的浴室休息。"