Now that summer is here, we can’t wait to get into our bathing suits and have fun at the local swimming pool. Sooner than you realize it, your eyes are all red and scratchy and, of course, you blame the chlorine present in the water.
However, you might (or might not) be surprised to find out that it’s not chlorine that irritates your eyes. It’s urine.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the National Swimming Pool Foundation and Water Quality and Health Council came to the conclusion that the number of people urinating in swimming pools is alarmingly large.
“Peeing in a pool depletes chlorine and actually produces an irritant that makes people’s eyes turn red,” said chief of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Swimming Program, Michele Hlavsa.
Moreover, the chlorine smell that repels anyone who goes to the swimming pool is not just chlorine. It is, in fact, chlorine and urine, sweat and dirt found on people’s bodies, according to Chris Wiant, who is the Chairman of the Water Quality and Health Council.
It was also proved that the more the concentration of these substances grows, the more they are likely to move in the air as well. People will breathe this air and, if the concentration is high enough, it can lead to all sorts of health problems.
People with asthma are likely to be the most affected by the infected air, but other people can suffer as well. The contaminated environment can lead to inexplicable coughing and wheezing.
This piece of news calls for immediate measures to educate the general public and warn them against the toxic effects of urine. Healthy swimming is extremely important and this is the message that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Chemistry Council hope to spread.
However, it is highly improbable that the pools will be clean soon. A 2009 survey implemented by the Water and Quality Health Council revealed that 20 percent of the people interviewed admitted to having urinated in swimming pools.
People who regularly swim indoors should be especially careful because the concentration of contamination in the air might be higher.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also issued some preventive measures for swimmers. Firstly, you must always wear swimming goggles if you like to swim underwater. Secondly, it is recommended that you take a shower before you go into the pool.
Most of all, it is advisable to always be on the lookout for the bad smell and for the poor quality of the water that you are going to swim into.
2Image Source: Melcarrelectric
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