Cotinine is detectable in blood for at least several days after exposure to tobacco smoke. Depending on how much you smoke, the level of cotinine in your blood will reflect a nonsmoker level in 7 to 10 days. The nicotine test that offers the longest detection window is a hair follicle nicotine test. These are rarely administered due to their expense, but they do exist.
High pH is NOT always BAD! But, high pH is NOT always GOOD, either! The recommendation that swimming pools should be operated at pH levels between 7.2 and 7.6 is almost universal. This recommendation is enshrined in generations of pool books and literature. It's embedded in many state swimming pool codes. Unfortunately, for most swimming pools, it's also far from ideal.
A high pH level can come from the chemicals used in the pool or a lack of proper maintenance. Cloudy water is a sign of high pH and the heightened pH also affects swimmers in the pool. A high pH level means the pool is too alkaline.