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REGULAR SWIMMERS MAY want to look away now, as scientists have developed a test to measure how much urine is contained in a large body of water, and their findings may be unwelcome.
Canadian researchers tested both the water before it enters the pool, and then periodically tested it over three weeks in 31 pools across two Canadian cities.
By the end of the three weeks, they found that swimmers had released 75 litres of urine in a pool around one-third the size of an Olympic swimming pool, and 30 litres in a pool around half the size.
However, that 75 litres comprised a tiny fraction of the 830,000 litre swimming pool.
Lead author Lindsay Blackstock, from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, said: “Our study provides additional evidence that people are indeed urinating in public pools and hot tubs.”
The test involved measuring the concentration of acesulfame potassium (ACE), which is an artificial sweetener that passes through the body unaltered. Scientists said this made it the “ideal urinary marker”.
Blackstock said that there was “no other explanation” for that substance to be in the pools.
She noted that urine is considered sterile, and any potentially harmful bacteria that finds its way into pools is usually killed off by chlorine.
Although there are moderate health risks, with a small risk of eye irritation and even respiratory problems if exposed to urine-contaminated water over a long period of time, Blackstock said that any potential harm was outweighed by the health benefits of regular exercise through swimming.
There was no way, however, to estimate how many swimmers peed while in the pools, as the researchers did not monitor how many people visited the pools over the course of the three-month study.
A US survey conducted in 2012 said that one in five people admitted to peeing in a swimming pool.
Back in 2012, decorated Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps admitted that he and his fellow swimmers sometimes relieve themselves in the pool, while fellow US swimmer Ryan Lochte also admitted to the practice.
So, what do you think? Have you ever peed in a swimming pool?
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It’s the number twos that people should worry about.
@Buster VL: There is a kind of net for taking them out, they are called stool retrievers
As a kid ya but now I’m too scared in case they have a dye in the water that reacts with the pee and follows you around. Saying that I’ve probably been in a pool 3 times in 15years..
Should I consider this identity theft?
That was pea water at the Olympics in Rio last year.
Anyone who answers no is lying!!!!
@Fox Trot: Not so. I was raised to never pee in a swimming pool. I always went to the loo before going swimming. The sea on the other hand.. That’s a different story.
Why would anybody piss in either?
It all ends up in the sea anyway, cut out the middle man.
@Seamus McSpud: well in the sea when you walk in first you pee just to defrost your groin.
We really do freak out about urine – it is a very natural substance and is essentially harmless. It does send out a powerful odour once bacteria work on it. What a waste flushing it into treatment plants along with 10L of “treated” water. It’s wonderful for plants if you have a few pots around and nobody looking!
Ah yea Biróg, we should also do as the Romans did and brush our teeth and wash our clothes in it eh?? Bleedin’ F’ing Hippy…
It was also used to make gunpowder .
The chemical reaction between urine and the disinfectant in swimming pools can cause breathing difficulties in some people.
@John Quill: Sometimes but not always. Urine contains white phosphorous a deadly poison. One exposure to the air and light it turns to red phosphorous, a harmless substance. Stale pee was believed to add a bit of zip to gunpowder but alcohol would do the same. When you strike a brown match, the friction changes the red phosphorous to white and on contact with oxygen, it instantly burns.
I never pead in a pool, but I would not trust others to not to do so. Then there is issue of pieces of shit clinging to hair round the anus and dissolving in the water. i would not get into a public swimming pool if you paid me. Being able to swim is useful in a shipwreck, so it could be worth it.
52% of liars polled already.
42%of these people are nasty
As opposed to the 54% who are liars… ;)
Hm. 75 litres in 90 days. Sound like it might be just one or two regulars who always do it.
So what if I drink my own urine it’s sterile and I liked the taste! If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball!!
@Adrian: 2 old wild west farmer brothers lived in a cabin and had to go a distance by horse drawn wagon to buy a new chain. They came across an isolated saloon and decided to go in for whiskey. The buxom bar maid poured them out and asked what they would like in them. The wiser fella said, “milk.” She lifted up he blouse having no bra and squirted breast milk into the glasses.
The other fella looking in amazement says ” it’s a good job we didn’t ask for water”!
Not as much as the sh*te swimming around the Dáil. Lolol
That’s nothing. How much waist is in our oceans ? Then follow the water cycle. . Yum .
At least the water is sweet tasting!
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