Taking a dip on a hot summer day at a community pool may not be as refreshing as you think.
A recent survey by the Water Quality & Health Council—a scientific research group sponsored by the American Chemistry Council—polled 1,000 adults and found that one in five admit to urinating in pools, says Yahoo Shine.
And while many may think that chlorine will counteract any urine on contact, that’s only true if pool operators maintain proper chlorine and pH levels, says the article.
Fifty-four percent of public pools tested by the WQHC last year failed to provide the proper chlorine levels and 47 percent did not have the right pH balance, says Yahoo Shine.
“While chlorine is working overtime to clean up someone's mess, it's weakened by the time more serious bacteria dives in,” WQHC chairman Dr. Chris Wiant told Yahoo.
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According to the article, the study also found that seven out of 10 people surveyed say they don't shower off before they swim, carrying additional bacteria into the pool.
Will you still swim in public pools this summer? Let us know in the comments.
