Let’s come clean: Do you rinse yourself before entering a public swimming pool? You should, says a water quality expert from NTU. A quick shower washes off ammonia present in sweat, sunscreen lotion and cosmetics, so it doesn’t get into the pool. Here’s another tip: A strong chlorine smell is a giveaway for increasing ammonia levels in the water. That’s a sign of the chlorine working overtime, and an indication that it might be better to leave the pool to reduce the risk of skin irritation or infection.

This story was published in the Aug-Sep 2021 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.