That chlorine smell at the pool? It’s pee

The chlorine in swimming pools reacts with our urine and sweat, producing volatile chemicals that are potentially harmful to breathe.

On a hot summer day, there’s nothing better than a dip in a cold pool. But you know who can ruin that for you? A scientist who studies pool chemistry. What chemical reactions are happening in that swimming pool when the water comes into contact with our bodily fluids and skin products?

Environmental engineer Ernest Blatchley sits down with Flora Lichtman to discuss his findings after two decades of research, including how urine in a pool makes that chlorine smell, and his work to make the air of the Paris Olympics’ indoor pools less toxic.

Guest:

Dr. Ernest Blatchley is a professor of environmental engineering at Purdue University, based in West Lafayette, Indiana.

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Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

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