One in five urinate in swimming pools

June 26, 10:55 AMConsumer News ExaminerBroderick Perkins

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Consumer News Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Oh no she didn't! No way. Uh uh.

One in five Americans admit to urinating in the swimming pool.

That's just wrong.

And it's nasty.

But, hold onto your stomach. That's not all.

About half of Americans admit they exhibit unhygienic pool behavior, according to a survey conducted by the Water Quality and Health Council.

"Proper water chlorination helps protect swimmers from germs that can make swimmers sick" said Michele Hlavsa, an epidemiologist in the Division of Parasitic Diseases for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"But swimmers also have role to play in maintaining a clean and healthy pool. Unhygienic behavior brings germs into the pool and makes it harder for chlorine to do its job," Hlavsa added.

Who'll know?

Well, 84 percent of Americans believe their fellow swimmers participate in unhygienic pool behavior even if only 47 percent actually admit to crappy behavior that can foul the pool.

Behavior like?

• Seventeen percent say they pee in the pool. Scoundrels.
• Thirty-five percent don't shower after swimming, walking around with a thin layer of urinated in pool water. Yucky.
• Seventy-three percent don't shower before swimming, sharing their grime with other swimmers. Bleah.

So what's the big deal?

CDC says unclean water can lead to recreational water illnesses (RWI's) – diarrhea, respiratory illness, and ear and skin infections. Children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems can suffer from more severe illness if infected.

The illnesses are on the rise.

Between 2005 and 2006, 78 outbreaks were reported in 31 states – the largest number of outbreaks ever in a two-year period. Some 4,500 people were affected, according to CDC.

From pool water.

Why? Ignorance. Denial. Poor hygiene.

• Only 36 percent consider the cleanliness (or lack thereof) when they go pool swimming.
• Most, 63 percent are unaware of illnesses associated with swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated pool water.
• Only 23 percent consider the frequency of pool cleaning and chemical treatment.
• Only 16 percent think about the chlorine levels necessary to maintain clean pool water.

The CDC urges pool users to follow tips for healthy swimming.

• Don't urinate in the pool, poophead.
• Don't swim when you've got the runs. Duh.
• Don't swallow pool water. Hello?
• Shower with soap and hot water before and after swimming. Wash kids thoroughly, especially those messy baby butts.
• Take your kids on bathroom breaks.
• Use swimming diapers for kids who aren't toilet trained, check diapers often, don't change diapers at poolside and for God's sake wash your hands with hot water and soap after handling diapers.
• Check a pool's proper chlorination with portable pool and spa testing kids found at pool supply stores and online merchants.

Also, if a pool smells bad it probably is.

"A smelly pool is a dirty pool," says National Consumers League President Emeritus and Water Quality and Health Council Vice Chair Linda Golodner.

"Look for water that's clean, clear and blue. Check for tiles that feel smooth and clean. Make sure there are no strong odors. Listen for pool cleaning equipment. Using your senses help you recognize the difference between a healthy pool and one that needs cleaning and treatment," she added.

Also see: Swimming Pool Season Safety Tips.