Swimmers, especially blondes, may be surprised – and even horrified – to discover that frequent pool use imparts a greenish hue to their hair. Typically chlorine in pool water is named as the culprit, sending the green-haired swimmer in search of products to remove the unwanted color or at least in search of a swim cap.
The green hair-chlorine connection is a firmly embedded myth: Almost half of respondents to our 2012 swimmer survey agreed that chlorine in the pool can turn hair green. We would like to expose this urban legend at its roots and offer an explanation of how it might have grown.
Copper, Not Chlorine, is Responsible for Green Hair
Green hair is caused by the presence of copper, not chlorine, in swimming pool water. Copper sulfate, for example, is added to pools to help control algae. Tiny particles of this greenish-blue compound can turn blonde … READ MORE >>
Interactive spray fountains, splash parks and splash pads are popular summertime venues where kids can cool off and have fun in “zero-depth” or very shallow water. Many urban areas feature these venues; families discover they can beat the heat inexpensively without leaving the city. They are also found in amusement parks and as part of municipal pool complexes. But as enjoyable as interactive water features can be, they can also make kids sick when certain risky behaviors are practiced (and these risky behaviors are observed frequently). 
Pool manufacturers sometimes market their products as being “chemical free.” Chemistry 101 teaches us that claim cannot be true in a literal sense, as all matter–including pool tiles, concrete, plumbing and water–is composed of chemical compounds. But if we assume that the “chemical” of “chemical free” refers to treatment chemicals, such as chlorine and other products added to the water, the question becomes: Can swimming pools go “chemical treatment free”? 
