In a study published in the journal Environmental letters Canadian researchers denounce a very unpleasant practice: yes swimmers relieve themselves in the water. They found between 30 and 75 liters of urine in the pools of public swimming pools.
Of course, this may seem like a lot but you still have to put it into perspective: it only represents 0.01% of the total volume of the pool. However, the researchers point out that this may pose health issues.
Eye irritation, asthma and skin allergies
By reacting with the chlorine and disinfectants present in the pool water, the urine is transformed into trichloramine. This molecule can cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation, even asthma and rhinitis in the event of prolonged exposure.
To detect the presence of urine, the researchers analyzed the concentration of acesulfame potassium (ACE), a sweetener widely used in the food industry that is not assimilated by the body and is eliminated through the urine.
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