When we are having fun, the hard realities we deal with day in and day out can melt away. This is a good thing, unless you are swimming in a pool where the importance of bathroom breaks has been forgotten. You laugh, but in all seriousness, when that fun quotient kicks in with vigor, the kiddos especially may ignore or simply forget about the call of nature. The consequences in those instances are not so much fun.

Let’s dive into the dirty details. Although chlorine is a formidable opponent of bacteria and other yucky stuff, it needs to be maintained at the proper pH levels within pool water to perform its job properly. The more unwelcome elements that are added to your pool, the more difficult that job becomes. Your pool chlorine is already combatting the dead skin cells and hair we shed, sweat, suntan lotion, spit and other unmentionables. So when we add urine to the mix, the whole thing can become a pretty dodgy stew.

Bacteria can cause swimmer’s ear and illness including diarrhea and viruses. On top of all that, new studies indicate that urinating in a chlorinated pool creates a toxic chemical. The chemical reaction of nitrogen in chlorine with urine produces an eye, nasal and lung irritant. This toxin, while not highly dangerous in small quantities, can affect frequent swimmers and asthmatics more severely.

That (and the fact that it is just really gross) is why it is a good idea to make sure your kids take time out for bathroom breaks.