Summer is fast approaching, and most people who can't afford to go to the beach would likely have a dip in their public swimming pool. But how clean the pool would be? Canadian researchers have revealed that a 220,000-gallon pool is likely to contain urine with a volume of 75 liters.
About 250 samples were taken from 31 pools around the country and have shown positive signs of urine matter. The researchers used acesulfame-K (ACE), a synthetic sweetener typically used to detect the presence of pee, which was present in all samples.
The scientists also noted that one of their egregious water tests showed ACE concentrations of up to 570 times more infectious than a tap water. News Australia reported research author Lindsay Blackstock as saying: "The high concentration of acesulfame-K, with 100 per cent occurrence in pools and hot tubs, demonstrates the human impact on recreational water quality."
Blackstock mentioned that while urine is sterile, it is still a public health concern. Urine, being a matter containing different compounds like ammonia and amino acids will react with disinfectants in swimming pools and become hazardous chemicals.
If urine has become exposed to the pool's trichloramine chemical, the person can get an eye and respiratory irritation, as well as asthma. CBS News reports that health hazards in pools are a major concern for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where they sometimes close thousands of public pools in a year due to the risk of health and safety.
The research stated that about 19 percent of people pee in the pool. Notably, even famed Olympic swimmers urinate in the pool during practice or while swimming.
Blackstock said that the research would help educate people on proper swimming hygiene practices. To illustrate, if an individual wants to pee, they have to go out of the pool and urinate on the comfort rooms.
Meanwhile, Australia has also been experiencing the threat of fecal matter on their beaches. About 36 beaches in Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne as the waters and shores were contaminated with human poop last month.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
