It all started in the United States, between the four walls of the houses. It was there that the popular ball pools that we know today arose. At the beginning they were small pools for children to play indoors.
The idea was to allow the little ones to have fun like in a swimming pool, but without ending up soaking everything since the water was replaced by the colored balls. Little by little this homely fun was transferred to the large restaurant chains, which included them in their play areas, and now they are practically everywhere, being one of the star entertainment in playgrounds and birthdays.
There is no doubt that ball pools are hilarious. And the bigger the better. The little ones can jump in them, look for the marked ball, dive in that sea of colors, dedicate themselves to collecting balls of the same color or even start a battle of balls with their friends.
In fact, this hobby considerably stimulates children’s senses, allows them to discover new sensations and considerably improves their balance. However, ball pools also have a dark side: they can contain more bacteria than balls.
Ball pools under the microscope
Researchers from the University of North Georgia were tasked with analyzing six ballparks across the state located in clinical settings where they were used as part of therapy with children. From each one they collected between 9 and 15 balls at different depths. What they found wasn’t exactly reassuring.
In their study , published in the American Journal of Infection Control , they indicate that “ball pools are often contaminated with visible traces of dirt, vomit, feces and urine, which becomes a source of microbial contamination . “
The researchers found 31 different types of bacteria on the balls, and even a yeast that can cause serious illness. Of these microorganisms, they identified 9 species of opportunistic pathogens.
Some of the microorganisms found were: Enterococcus faecalis, which can cause meningitis , endocarditis, septicemia and urine infection ; Staphylococcus hominis, which is responsible for bloodstream infections and sepsis; Acinetobacter lwoffii, which can cause pneumonia, septicemia, meningitis, and skin and urinary infections, as well as Streptococcus oralis, which can lead to problems such as endocarditis, breathing difficulties in adults, and streptococcal shock.
They concluded that in these pools “there is a considerable amount of microbial colonization in the balls” , which represents a risk of infection for children since they normally manipulate the balls with their hands and can put them in their mouth. Finally, they recommend putting in place a thorough cleaning protocol so that the ball pools do not become a source of infection.
How to play safely in the ball pools?
It is important not to panic. Children can continue playing in the ball pools as usual. If they have a healthy immune system, it will be responsible for fighting the pathogens to which they are exposed. In fact, there are many other everyday objects with which we are in contact that are also full of bacteria, from shoes to light switches, where more than 200 types of bacteria can accumulate per square centimeter.
However, if your child has a weakened immune system, you better take extra precautions. It is important that you do not put the balls in your mouth and that you wash your hands properly after playing to avoid the transfer of bacteria. And if you do not trust the cleanliness of the ball pool, you better avoid your child playing in it.
