Americans pee in the pool
October 20th, 2010
The truth is out: one in five Americans pee in the pool – and almost half admit to unhygienic pool behaviour.
The Water Quality and Health Council (WQHC) in the United States has undertaken research on the behaviour of swimmers at public pools, uncovering several unpleasant pieces of information, including the fact that almost 20 per cent of those surveyed admitted to urinating in the swimming pool. While the study was conducted in America, it also informs us about the behaviour of bathers in similar societies such as Australia.
According to the survey, 84 percent of Americans believe their fellow swimmers participate in unhygienic pool behaviour – and they may be right. In fact, almost half (47%) admit to one or more unhealthy behaviours. Peeing in the pool? One in five say they’ve done it (17%) – and eight in ten (78 per cent) are convinced their fellow swimmers are guilty. Only one third (35 per cent) shower before swimming, and three-quarters (73 per cent) say their fellow swimmers fail to shower before swimming.
Despite strong doubts about their fellow swimmers, only a third (36 per cent) say pool water cleanliness is top of mind when they head to the pool. At the same time, most (63 per cent) are unaware of illnesses associated with swallowing, breathing or having contact with contaminated pool water. In fact, less than one quarter consider the frequency of pool cleaning and chemical treatment (23 per cent) and even less (16 per cent) think about chlorine levels to maintain clean pool water.
According to the survey, 84 percent of Americans believe their fellow swimmers participate in unhygienic pool behaviour – and they may be right. In fact, almost half (47%) admit to one or more unhealthy behaviours. Peeing in the pool? One in five say they’ve done it (17%) – and eight in ten (78 per cent) are convinced their fellow swimmers are guilty. Only one third (35 per cent) shower before swimming, and three-quarters (73 per cent) say their fellow swimmers fail to shower before swimming.
Despite strong doubts about their fellow swimmers, only a third (36 per cent) say pool water cleanliness is top of mind when they head to the pool. At the same time, most (63 per cent) are unaware of illnesses associated with swallowing, breathing or having contact with contaminated pool water. In fact, less than one quarter consider the frequency of pool cleaning and chemical treatment (23 per cent) and even less (16 per cent) think about chlorine levels to maintain clean pool water.
By The Splash Team
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