Ripples #89
Compiled and Written by Lenny Giteck
New Study: Urinating in Pools
Poses Serious Health Dangers
Ripples has run a number of items about the public’s penchant for urinating in swimming pools — a topic often greeted with winks and giggles. Now comes new research that shows peeing in the pool is no laughing matter.
According to an article on the Web site sciencexpress.com, when the uric acid in urine combines with the chlorine in pools, two toxic substances can result: cyanogen chloride, which when inhaled can damage a variety of human internal organs; and trichloramine, which can seriously injure the lungs.
The study was conducted by — among other researchers — Jing Li, a visiting professor at Purdue University, who hails from the China Agricultural University; and Ernest R. Blatchley III, a professor of civil, environmental and ecological engineering at Purdue. The study’s findings were published in the February issue of Environmental Science & Technology.
The article on medicalxpress.com quoted Blatchley as saying:
“Given that uric acid introduction to pools is attributable to urination, the findings indicate important benefits to pool water and air chemistry that could result from improved hygiene habits on the part of swimmers.
“A common misconception within the swimming community is that urination in pools is an acceptable practice, although signs and placards are posted in many pools to encourage proper hygiene. It is also well known that many swimmers ignore these warnings; particularly noteworthy among these are competitive swimmers.”
To learn more, click here.
Ripples Classic: August 22, 2012
‘Bad Boy’ of American Swimming
Admits to Urinating in Olympics Pool
Longtime readers of this column know that Ripples is not one to shy away from discussing the 800-pound golden gorilla in the swimming pools of America – which is to say, Americans’ habit of urinating while splashing about.
You may recall, for example, “Urine Nation: To Pee or Not to Pee?” in the April 27, 2011 installment of Ripples. Among other things, the report revealed that according to research, fully 20% of Americans confess to relieving themselves while swimming.
This explains why Ripples was so fascinated to read recently that Ryan Lochte, the “bad boy” of American swimming, revealed to radio host Ryan Seacrest (“On Air with Ryan Seacrest”) that he did in fact urinate while in the London Olympics training pool.
According to a report on the Web site nbcchicago.com, Lochte told Seacrest in a classic TMI moment, “I think there’s just something about getting into chlorine water that you just automatically go.” He claimed that while he did not relieve himself during actual races, he “sure did in warm-up.”
Lochte confided this to Seacrest and the entire world after losing to Michael Phelps in the 200-meter individual medley. Earlier, he told the “Today” show that his perfect race would be one in which he “crushes Phelps.” He said, “In the middle lane is [sic] me and Michael. I look over at Phelps and we have a little stare-off, look who wants it more. We step on the blocks and take your marks, boom. I take off. I’m hitting the water like a rocket and I’m not looking back.”
Sadly, that particular fantasy of Lochte’s is unlikely to happen. By all accounts, Phelps intends to retire from competitive swimming after the 2012 London Games. As for Lochte, he undoubtedly will be back in 2016 — peeing in the pool with abandon.
Postscript: Ripples would be remiss if this item did not report that following Lochte’s on-air confession, Phelps, too, revealed that he urinated in the London Olympics pool.
And with that Ripples once again says…
Until next time, happy watershaping to you!