No wee amount! Test that shows how much urine there is in swimming pools will disgust you
It’s no shock to discover that some people wee while having a swim, we’ve probably all done it at some point.
However, scientists have now developed a test to discover just how much urine there is in pools.
And the results are sure to disgust you.
First, the science – experts in Canada measured the concentration of artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium (ACE) that is common in processed food and passes through the body unaltered.
Then they tracked the levels of this sweetener in two public swimming pools over a period of three weeks.
Now, the disgusting part – they found that swimmers had released a staggering 75 litres of urine into one large pool.
That amount, in case you were wondering, is enough to gill up an average dustbin.
Another 30 litres of urine was detected in the second pool, which was about half the size of the first.
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Told you – disgusting.
Lindsay Blackstock, a graduate student at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, and lead author of the research, said, somewhat unsurprisingly: “Our study provides additional evidence that people are indeed urinating in public pools and hot tubs.”
The research, published in the American Chemical Society journal, Environmental Science & Technology Letters, could not determine how many people were contributing to the urine – although if it was just one person then they need to maybe drink a little less.
More disturbingly, hot tub fans will be thrilled to discover that measurements from eight jacuzzis found much higher urine levels – with one hotel tub having three times higher concentration levels than the worst swimming pool.
And in a much smaller space, you are literally sitting in wee.
Out of the 31 pools and hot tubs tested, urine was found in every single one.
Blackstock added: “We want to use this study to promote public education on appropriate swimming hygiene practices.
“We should all be considerate of others and make sure to exit the pool to use the restroom when nature calls.”
Try not to think of this the next time you accidentally swallow swimming pool water.
Top pic: Rex
