Swedish tap water contains traces of chlorine or chloramine. In the shower, this becomes a daily exposure that affects your skin and lungs.
Swedish tap water contains traces of chlorine or chloramine — added for microbiological safety. In the shower, these substances evaporate and are inhaled, leading to exposure that can be higher than drinking chlorinated water. Chlorine and chloramine affect the skin's barrier and can exacerbate eczema and dry skin.
Why Is There Chlorine in Swedish Water?
Swedish drinking water is among the cleanest in the world. Municipal water undergoes extensive treatment before it reaches your tap. But bacteria can still enter the system through pipelines, reservoirs, and property pipes – which is why a small amount of disinfectant is maintained throughout the distribution network.
Swedish approach to water disinfection:
This "residual" chlorine or chloramine is why your water smells faintly of chlorine after sitting in a glass for a while. It's also why shower water – which is hot, aerated, and atomized – creates exposure through inhalation.
The Shower Effect: Why Hot Showers Are Worse
1. THM Formation
At temperatures above 30°C, chlorine reacts with organic matter in the water, forming trihalomethanes (THMs) – a group of regulated carcinogens. The four main THMs are:
These are volatile. The moment you breathe in shower steam, you inhale THMs directly into your lungs – a significantly more efficient exposure than drinking.
2. Inhalation vs. Skin Exposure
Research published in Environmental Science & Technology found that inhalation during a 10-minute shower can account for more THM exposure than drinking 2 liters of the same water daily.
Inhalation during a 10-minute shower can lead to greater chlorine exposure than drinking 2 liters of chlorinated water.
— Environmental Science & Technology (Nuckols et al., 2005)
The skin absorbs some chlorine directly (which is why chlorine-damaged skin worsens with hard, chlorinated water), but inhalation is the primary risk.
| Exposure Pathway | Relative Risk |
What Chlorine and Chloramine Do to Your Body
Skin
Chlorine's oxidizing action strips the natural oils (sebum) from the skin's surface. This:
For individuals with existing conditions – eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rosacea – chlorinated water is a documented trigger for flare-ups.
Hair
Chlorine damages hair at the protein level. The oxidation reaction with keratin:
Respiratory System
THMs formed in hot shower steam are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. Daily shower exposure over years contributes to a cumulative THM dose. Acute effects are minimal, but chronic low-level exposure to THMs is associated with:
Does Stockholm Have Chlorine in Its Water?
Stockholm's water comes from Lake Mälaren and is treated at the Norsström waterworks. The water quality is excellent.
However, Stockholm Vatten och Avfall uses chloramine as a secondary disinfectant in parts of the distribution network. Chloramine is more stable than chlorine (it lasts longer in pipes) but creates its own concerns:
Other Swedish cities that use chloramine-based secondary disinfection: Gothenburg, Malmö, and several regional networks.
How to Remove Chlorine from Shower Water?
Different filter types handle chlorine in different ways. Here's a comparison:
| Filter Type | Best For | Less Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Activated Carbon (GAC) | Free chlorine in cold water | Hot water, chloramine |
| Calcium Sulfite (CaSO₃) | Both free chlorine and chloramine, all temperatures | Organic compounds (combine with GAC) |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | Fast chlorine neutralization | Chloramine, long-lasting effect in hot water |
Nordisk Shower Water Filter combines calcium sulfite + KDF-55D + GAC for full coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a shower filter help with dry skin?
Yes, a shower filter with calcium sulfite neutralizes chlorine and chloramine, which otherwise oxidize the skin's natural lipid barrier. Many users report noticeable improvement within 1–2 weeks.
Do I need both a shower filter and a water softener?
Shower filters remove chemical contaminants (chlorine, heavy metals). Water softeners reduce calcium and magnesium. If you have both chlorinated and hard water, both may be needed.
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Nordisk Shower Water Filter
Calcium Sulfite + KDF-55D + GAC. Engineered for Scandinavian hard, chlorinated water.
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