Urinating in the pool, while it might seem convenient, can seriously compromise the health of other swimmers. When urine mixes with chlorine, the chemical used to disinfect pool water, it can create harmful substances. These byproducts arise from the reaction between chlorine and the organic compounds in urine and sweat. As the popularity of swimming pools increases, it’s important to understand how contaminants in pool water can affect our health. Also, adhering to basic swimming etiquette, such as using the restroom when needed and showering before entering the pool, is crucial to maintaining a safe and healthy swimming environment for everyone.
What disinfectants are in pool water?
Pool water contains chlorine-based disinfectants to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. Chlorine, highly toxic to living organisms, transforms into hypochlorous acid when mixed with water. This compound is volatile and reactive. When hypochlorous acid encounters bacteria in the water, it reacts with their proteins, oxidizing them to neutralize potential threats. This process is crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary swimming conditions.
What nitrogen compounds are in human urine?
The issue arises when chlorine interacts with substances secreted by humans. Chlorine tends to bond with nitrogen-containing compounds rich in human urine. When chlorine interacts with these compounds, it produces disinfection byproducts. One of these byproducts, cyanogen chloride, is used in pesticides and chemical weapons, while trichloramine is known to cause acute lung diseases.
Controversy over the introduction of a “No Senior Zone.”
Recently, a public swimming pool in South Korea faced intense backlash after proposing a “No Senior Zone” to restrict elderly individuals’ access to the facility. The pool claimed that seniors aged 65 and older tend to urinate in the water, do not respect others, and often enter the pool without showering. However, it’s important to reconsider whether this issue is limited to only elderly citizens.
Why do you often feel the need to urinate while swimming?
Many people notice they feel a stronger urge to urinate while swimming. The reason lies in the pool or ocean water temperature, which is usually lower than the body temperature. When the surrounding temperature drops, the body reduces blood flow to the surface to conserve heat, redirecting it to the core organs. The kidneys, sensing an increase in blood volume, interpret this as excess fluid. As a result, they produce more urine to expel it.
How much urine is actually in pool water?
According to a study in Canada, public swimming pools contain an average of 75 liters of urine. In a pool with a capacity of 132,000 gallons (500,000 liters), there is an average of 8.5 gallons (32 liters) of urine, while a pool holding 264,000 gallons (1,000,000 liters) contains nearly 24 gallons (90 liters) of urine. Although limited body exposure reduces the likelihood of suffering from serious health issues, it remains a fact that urine can combine with chlorine to create harmful chemicals that affect internal organs.
What does it mean when the pool smells strongly of chlorine?
You might encounter a strong chlorine smell when you visit a swimming pool. Many people assume this indicates recent disinfection and cleanliness. However, the opposite is true! Well-treated pools do not have a strong chemical odor. The chlorine in the pool water combines with substances like dust, oil, sweat, urine, and feces from swimmers, producing a chemical irritant known as chloramines. This reaction causes the characteristic smell and can cause stinging and redness in the eyes. A strong chlorine smell in the pool indicates that the water is dirty, which can irritate the eyes, skin, and nose.
Is indoor swimming more dangerous?
The disinfection byproducts, cyanogen chloride and trichloramine are highly volatile. While the risk of inhalation is minimal in outdoor pools, these substances can become trapped in the air of enclosed indoor pools, leading to inhalation of these products. As such, swimming instructors who spend long hours in indoor pools often experience more sinusitis and chronic cough than those coaching in outdoor spaces.
What do you do if your eyes are red after swimming?
While red eyes can indicate accumulated fatigue, persistent redness, or pain after swimming could indicate a subconjunctival hemorrhage, this condition is more severe than simple eye redness. It occurs when blood vessels in the conjunctiva break, causing blood to pool under the surface and turning the eye red. Although it doesn’t typically affect vision, it can cause discomfort. If you experience these symptoms, it’s advisable to seek medical attention promptly.
Not showering is also a problem
If you first enter a pool without showering, dirt, sweat, and bacteria from your body can mix with the pool water. These impurities may react with chlorine to form chemical irritants, which can severely irritate the eyes of other swimmers. Showering before entering the pool is a basic hygiene practice and a courtesy that everyone should follow to help keep the water clean and safe for all users.
Avoid swallowing pool water
When swimming, it’s possible to swallow some water unintentionally. However, pool water can contain contaminants such as urine, sweat, and saliva from other swimmers. These substances can react chemically, producing volatile toxic compounds. If this water enters your lungs, it can lead to inflammation and aspiration pneumonia. Swallowing pool water could expose you to parasites, dysentery, or E. coli infections. Therefore, even if the water appears clean, it’s important to avoid swallowing it.
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