Is it safe to try on swimsuits?
- November 19, 2014
- Pool Safety and Health,
Shopping for a bathing suit is a ritual that most are familiar with – you try on an array of options to find the perfect color to compliment your tan and you seek out the best shape for your figure. While you're sorting through the racks to find your size in a top and bottom, you might not even stop to think about all of the other people who've tried on the swimming apparel before you – but you should. Researchers say safety precautions put in place by clothing designers aren't that safe.
Swim suit liners serve little purpose
As the Huffington Post reported, there's a disgusting truth about trying on swim suits and it starts with the liner. The news provider cited recent research conducted by Dr. Philip Tierno, clinical professor of microbiology and pathology at New York University's School of Medicine, to prove the statement.
Tierno discovered that there were human secretions on various swimsuit articles at stores of all price levels. This means that the paper liner that was designed to improve the safety of trying on intimates may not be working at all. People have either opted to remove it or take off their undergarments prior to slipping into a new bathing suit. You might be thinking "Gross, why would anyone take off underwear to try on a swimsuit," but it happens.
As the doctor explained, some people choose to go sans clothes to get a more realistic feel for how the swim attire works with their body shape. Many bathing suits are designed to fit snugly and are smaller than undergarments, which means that someone trying on a bathing suit in a store might be able to see his or her underwear if he or she is wearing them under the suit.
New wave of RWI
The Huffington Post went on to suggest that although oftentimes a person won't get extremely ill from trying on swimsuits, it's still a credible way to transmit germs. This finding could mean that people might catch something similar to a recreational waterborne illness before he or she even gets in the pool because like RWIs, pathogens and bodily fluids can be transmitted through the fabric.
It's no secret that clothing can transmit bacteria. In 2010, Good Morning America confirmed through research that new clothing has an abundance of germs. The source pointed out that oftentimes, a person tries on a newly purchased article of clothing multiple times before he or she returns it. That garment typically gets put back in its place without any sort of washing or sanitation.
The source suggested that people who wish to reduce the risk of coming in contact with germs from new clothes should take certain steps when purchasing new clothing. For starters, it's important to leave undergarments on while you're trying on swim suits at the store. What's more, if you make a purchase, wash the clothing prior to wearing it. Dr. Tierno told "The Today Show" that you can also put new clothes in the dryer to reduce the amount of germs on them.
Importance of chlorine in killing germs
Keep in mind that not everyone who visits your swimming pool will be following these suggestions. Some people may bring germs into your pool from their bathing suits, which is why it's so important to have your chemical levels balanced on a regular basis. If you need someone to do this for you, contact Fort Worth, San Diego or Phoenix pool service professionals. Existing clients are eligible for a free salt system.