Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Corona: Chlorine allergy

3 May, 2020
Question:

Hi. I have a concern about attending mikvah with the current situation. I used to go to a salt water mikvah because I’m allergic to chlorine. I get short of breath and cough for days. Now the only mikvah that is open in my area uses chlorine, and I heard they even increased the level to kill the virus.

What should I do? Should I just avoid going? Can I fill my bathtub and dip there? Please respond as soon as you can. Thank you.


Answer:

In this case, your first option is to see if you can make a special arrangement, on account of your allergy, to immerse in the salt water mikveh.

If that is out of the question, you could explore the possibility of immersing in a natural body of water, if this can be done legally and safely. Please see our Q&A about immersing in a natural body of water and get back to us with any questions.

A third option would be to arrange to immerse right after water is changed and before it is treated with chlorine.

Choosing not to immerse is an option, but means that the niddah prohibitions will remain in full force. Dipping in the bathtub is not a halachically valid immersion and does not change a woman’s mikveh status.

Please get back to us with any further questions.

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