Chlorine doesn't make your eyes go red at the swimming pool, something way more disgusting does

For anyone that has ever gotten out of a pool with sore, stinging red eyes, we've got some bad news: that wasn't because of the chlorine.

Well, at least not the chlorine on its own, as according to Dr Michael Beach, an associate director of the American Centre for Disease Control’s (CDC) Healthy Water programme, it's something much less pleasant than that on its own.

Rather what causes the irritation is the "chlorine binding to urine and sweat" that's already in the pool, making your eyes turn red, as well as "other waste" from swimmers. That's a lovely thought for you now before you head off on your summer holidays, isn't it?

Best buy some goggles...