2009 national survey data show that 1 in 5 Americans have a habit of urinating in public pools.

Now, researchers have proven that it is not only unhygienic, but also dangerous to health..

Both his and others.

A study recently published by the journal Environmental Science \u0026 Technology found that uric acid from urine in swimming pools forms volatile biologically active substances with chlorine that are harmful to the human body..

Of course, the water in the pool may contain a certain amount of chlorine, which reliably stops the growth of pathogenic microflora. But in combination with uric acid, products such as nitrogen trichloride (trichloramine, NCI3) and chlorocyanine (CNCI) are formed.

Previous studies have shown that in contact with urine and sweat with active chlorine, potentially hazardous substances are released in swimming pools.. Given that urine contains the highest uric acid content, a bad habit can also cause health problems..

To test this hypothesis, scientists analyzed water samples from swimming pools and studied in more detail the chemical interaction of chlorine with various body fluids.. They used a technique called membrane separation mass spectrometry, which made it possible to very accurately determine the amount of volatile by-products.

The results showed that the interaction of uric acid and chlorine produces chlorcyan and trichloramine. Chlorcian (CNCI) is a toxic substance with pronounced irritating and asphyxiating properties, inhalation of which leads to damage to the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems. Trichloramine (NCI3) is a substance that can cause severe lung damage..

According to researchers, more than 90% of the uric acid that is present in swimming pools comes from human urine.. This gives reason to fear that the habit of urinating in pools is one of the main factors in the formation of toxic compounds in such places..

Professor Ernest Blatchley III, professor of civil engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette (Indiana, USA), says that the chemical composition of water and air in swimming pools would have improved significantly if visitors had been freed from this habit.

Bletchley adds: “A common misconception is that ostensibly urinating in the water among swimmers is an acceptable practice.. But the numerous posters and warning signs in the American pools urge people to adhere to basic hygiene standards and not to do this. "

It is also well known that many swimmers ignore warnings, especially professionals who do not crawl out of pools for a long time..

Apparently, the professor is not far from the truth.. A 2009 survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in conjunction with the Council for the Protection of Water Quality, showed shocking results:.

• Only 36% of patrons of American pools say that clean water is a priority for them when choosing a pool for classes.

• 63% of respondents are not aware of the diseases associated with contact, inhalation and ingestion of contaminated water in the pool.

According to the CDC, over the past two decades in the United States there has been a steady increase in the number of outbreaks of infectious diseases in swimming pools and recreational water bodies - the so-called RWI (recreational water illness).

The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and protozoa (cryptosporidiosis). Last year, American publications reported that E.

coli is present in more than half of US swimming pools.

The US CDC claims that one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from diseases in swimming pools is to “get rid of waste products away from water”.

TsKZ experts recommend:.

• Do not swim if you have diarrhea.

• Take breaks every 60 minutes.

• Wash with soap before and after swimming in the pool.

• Wash hands after using the toilet before returning to water..

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