We were always under the impression that chlorine is the cause for your eyes burning when we hit the pool. But that isn't the case, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It's actually something worse. It's people's piss.

That's right. According to ABC 13:

One of the most shocking revelations the CDC shared was the truth behind what causes your eyes to become red and irritated after swimming in the pool. And it’s not the chlorine.

“It’s quite the opposite,” said Beach. “Chlorine binds with all the things it’s trying to kill from your bodies, and it forms these chemical irritants. That’s what’s stinging your eyes. It’s the chlorine binding to the urine and the sweat.”

Beach went on to say that the cough you can get from an indoor pool is also caused by the chlorine binding to sweat and urine when the chemical reaction irritates your lungs.

And then...

There’s actually been an increase in disease outbreaks from public swimming pools, according to Beech, thanks in large part to those swimming while they have diarrhea. Those with diarrhea don’t even have to defecate in the pool to spread disease, but just have the germs on their body, which is why the CDC encourages swimmers to shower before getting in the pool.

“We have a new parasitic germ that has emerged that’s immune to chlorine,” says Beach. “We’ve got to keep it out of the pool in the first place. We need additional barriers.”

So the next time you enter a pool, remember don't swallow water and don't forget your goggles.