Crypto, Other Dangers Abound Around the Pool

by | Nov 3, 2021 | Pool Services

The crystal-clear water is probably very tempting especially when you like having a swimming pool in your backyard. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned the public about the dangers you can have in most of the American pools.   

According to the CDC, there have been thousands of cases of the crypto infection since 2009 as well as outbreaks of diarrhea. Besides the crypto and the diarrhea outbreaks, they are also worried about other contaminant kike parasites, bacteria, and chemicals that can be hazardous and dangerous to the swimmers. This highlights the importance of getting a professional and expert pool contractor to ensure that your pool is durable and safe from other hazardous chemical reactions that can be rooted in the low-quality materials and paints beside the water and the regularity of maintenance on the side of the homeowners.   

Cryptosporidium is reported to be the main contributor to diarrhea outbreaks that can last up to three weeks. Other diseases were hot tub rash caused by pseudomonas and Legionnaire’s disease that is caused by legionella. Out of the aforementioned bacteria and viruses, it is the crypto that is very resistant to chlorine, which makes it difficult to kill in the pool. When a child or an adult swallows a mouthful of water with crypto, they become sick with symptoms like nausea, cramps, vomiting, and watery diarrhea that can last a few weeks.   

There are ways on how to make sure that you will not contaminate your pool, and these include the following:  

  1. Do not go into the pool that smells – a clean and healthy pool does not smell. According to the experts, a properly treated pool should not have any smell even that “chemical” smell in them. This is because when the chlorine reacts to fecal matter, sweat, urine, body oils, and dirt, chloramine or chemical irritants are produced. Besides the crypto, your pool can also host giardia and E. coli that can be dangerous to your children and even to you.   
  2. Do not pee in the pool – we get it. Your children may have that urge to pee in the pool and that is the very thing you should avoid at all costs.   

You can also try these procedures to ensure that your children are safe before jumping in the pool. You can do the following:  

  • Do not swallow the water  
  • Do not let sick kids swim in the pool especially when the child is experiencing diarrhea.   
  • Make sure that the kids have bathroom breaks when they are swimming in the pool  
  • Check the water’s pH and chlorine level of the pool using some test strips.   

In addition, you should take note that chlorine alone is not the answer to all problems in your pool. In fact, your chlorine mixes with body oils and sweat and they produce toxic compounds. You should note that chlorine should be in complete moderation to protect you from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. Too much chlorine can cause skin infections, dermatitis, and rashes.