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Summer is getting ready to slow down, but the heat still gets us. So you run to your pool. Weather you have one in your neighborhood or you got money and have your own. (I would like the invite over please?)
So maybe you have a couple drinks, the kids have a few too many juice boxes, so what would a little pee in the pool hurt. Nobody is what you thought, and turns out that's not true.
Surveys suggest up to 40% of adults admit to urinating in swimming pools. While it seems harmless, this could be causing some health issues for some.
"But it's not hurting anyone." is what you say, but it could be.
When urine mixes with pool chemicals, it produces potentially toxic disinfection byproducts that can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, especially for those with asthma.
These gases build up in poorly ventilated areas and give pools their signature “chlorine” smell. (I've always said it, but if you can smell the pool, don't get in it.)
The more organic matter like sweat and fecal matter in the water, the more chloramines are produced, depleting chlorine’s ability to kill germs. Experts say peeing in even a large pool can impact water quality.
Think about it, the next time you're in the pool and that warm flow of water passes by you, it might be time to get out and shower off. Don't be gross!