<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I got a variety of responses, including many posters who said that they or
their children had experienced some reaction to chlorine, which they had
suspected to be linked to chlorine.  I personally tried calling several
chlorine- manufactures.  However, I was not very successful at getting
answers - most actually chuckled at me and said (as some posters did) that
no one said it was a good idea to eat the chlorine.  While I understand that
it sounds like a ridiculous question, I did not appreciate some of the rude
responses that I received.  Children, and many times adults, do not do
everything that they are told.  Sometimes they are not even aware that they
are doing something that they should not be doing.  It is for this reason
that we check products like toothpaste - and for the adult set especially,
lipstick and lip balm.  I think it is short- sighted to say, as some posters
did, that we should simply not swallow the chlorinated water or that we
should "take a deep breath" and not concern ourselves too much.  I, as I
found many other posters agree, am worried about my health and the health of
all of us celiacs and our children.  I do not think that inquiring about an
easily imagined scenario is being overly protective or concerned.

So, thank you to the posters who kindly responded - which was most of you!

One person provided me a very thoughtful, respectful and informative email
regarding the chemical make-up of both gluten and chlorine and stated that
there is no gluten in chlorine and the reasons for this.  I thank him for
his kind response - and the knowledge he passed on to me that there is
definitely no gluten in chlorine.

One certified pool technician/swim teacher/manager told me that as far as
she knows, there is no gluten in chlorine.

Interestingly, several people wrote that they and/or their children have
experienced the exact same symptoms that they experience when they have been
in chlorinated swimming pools.

Many people described experiencing some degree of reaction to the chlorine,
which they attributed to the harsh nature of the chemical.

Another poster told me that we should not only be worried about pool water,
if there is cause for concern, but also about our tap water and shower
water, as many of us with tap water are also getting chlorine in it.
Another person reminded me not only to look at chlorine, but also at all of
the various chemicals involved in the pool sterilization and cleansing
process.  She recommended calling the 1-800 numbers listed for the pool
items and checking - she did that with her own pool and found that there was
no gluten in the chemicals they use.

Again, someone reminded me about the other chemicals to look at, such
as: Bromine,
fluorine, chlorine, iodine and astatine.

Someone else noted that there are other things besides chemicals to look at
- such as the food that children or adults often bring into public pools.

Several people mentioned that people with DH should also think about
iodine.  These responses also talked about the likelihood that chlorine,
even with no gluten involvement, could irritate DH.

Thanks to all - have a good last leg of summer!

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