4 Reasons You May Want To Avoid Swimming In Public Pools

Do you enjoy swimming? And for many of you who can’t afford a personal pool in your homes, do you know enough about public pool dangers?

Have you ever had these questions come to your mind, "Are public pools clean? Are public swimming pools hygienic?"

Are you thinking about taking a dip in a public pool to cool off? Well, you may want to have a rethink. Many public pools are saddled with various germs - and, if not treated properly, can pose a major health risk.

These questions will come to your mind, “What are the hazards in a swimming pool? Are there any potential hazards in a public swimming pool? Are there chlorinated swimming pools health risks?"

Before heading to the swimming pool next time, find out what could be prowling in the water, and learn how to protect yourself and your family from unwanted hazards.


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Below are 4 Reasons You May Want to Quit Swimming in Public Pools:

1. 1 in 5 adults urinates in the poo

Though, it may seem like a habit most people would discontinue after childhood, or preferably, never pick up in the first place. Many adults admit having relieved themselves while swimming. Some even believe swimming pools make you urinate naturally.

A 2012 survey conducted by the Water Quality & Health Council discovered that one in five U.S. adults urinate in the pool.

2. A poop may probably be present in the pool

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1 in 8 public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds was shut down because of health and safety violations, including excessively dirty water.

The most common cause of contamination is the fecal matter that rinses off children or people who go swimming while suffering from diarrhea.

The reported stated that "contamination can occur via direct release of formed or diarrheal feces or as much as 10 grams of fecal material can rinse off a young child's perianal surface and into the water".


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3. Some bacteria are simply just resistant to chlorine

Chlorine is the major chemical used in pools to kill germs. Chlorine is added to pool water to kill germs that can cause illness if ingested, and it takes time to work.

The chemical removes most germs in minutes, but some, such as Cryptosporidium, or "Crypto" for short, can live in properly treated pool water for several days. This bacterium is known to be very resistant to chlorine.

4. Most people do not bath or shower before going swimming

The 2012 report from Water Quality and Health Council found that nearly 70 percent of people do not shower before taking a swim in the pool, adding to the number of germs in the water.

"Swimming is not a substitute for bathing. Too many people unknowingly treat the pool as a communal bathtub," Wiant said in the release. "It may seem counter-intuitive, but it's important to shower before you jump into the pool to help keep swimming healthy for everyone in the pool.


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Conclusion

Hopefully, you can see why it is extremely dangerous to become too comfortable swimming in a public pool. Poop, pee, dirt, and bacteria are always swimming beside you. If you want to maintain a good health for your family and friends, then you need to be selective about the public swimming pools you use. Make sure you are satisfied that the pools were properly treated before you lunge in it.

Stay safe and healthy.