By interacting with pool disinfectants, urine induces the production of hundreds of harmful molecules that can damage DNA.
Who can claim to have never urinated in the pool water? Too busy having fun, children often let themselves go in the pools. Parents – although they forbid their children to do so – are not an example to follow either. In addition to the glaring lack of hygiene of this practice, a study reveals that it causes the production of mutagenic molecules that can damage DNA. This is presented in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Previous work has shown that the chlorine cocktail, used as a disinfectant, and the uric acid contained in the urine induce the formation of cyanogen chloride and trichloramine. These disinfection by-products are also formed when disinfectants come into contact with sweat or products put on the skin.
These harmful substances are irritating and dangerous for the lungs, heart and even the central nervous system. “Decontamination is important for killing pathogens, but adverse effects associated with these products, such as asthma or bladder cancer, are observed in epidemiological studies,” note the authors of this new study.
More than 100 products trained
In fact, among professional swimmers and employees of swimming pools and spas, there is an increase in cases of asthma, respiratory diseases and bladder cancer. Still, the toxicity of these products is still unknown. It is for this reason that researchers at the University of South Carolina, in collaboration with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, have studied their mutagenic effects.
The team then took water from 28 private and public swimming pools and Jacuzzis before and after use. She also collected water used to fill these different basins. More than 100 disinfection byproducts have been identified, including a new class called bromoimidazoles which results from the reaction with bromine.
Swimming pools or spas containing the latter molecules are 1.8 times more toxic and mutagenic than those treated with chlorine, according to the researchers. Overall, hot tubs are 1.7 times more mutagenic than swimming pools. Compared to the tap water used to fill these pools, swimming pools are 2.4 times more dangerous and Jacuzzis 4.1 times more mutagenic.
Man is the source of this pollution
Thus, these results reveal that the use of swimming pools by humans contributes to the production of harmful molecules, and the more frequent this use, the more the disinfection by-products are in high concentration.
The researchers therefore recommend changing the water in the ponds more regularly. They also encourage swimmers to take a shower before entering the water, and of course not to urinate in order to eliminate these harmful interactions.
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