The publication of a recent article in the February, 2012 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology adds to the evidence, and increasing concern, of the unhealthy effects of exposure to disinfection by-products (DBP) in swimming pools. The article, entitled “Airway remodeling and inflammation in competitive swimmers training in indoor chlorinated swimming pools” by Bougault et al provides evidence that intense, long term training in indoor chlorinated swimming pools leads to airway changes similar to those seen in asthma.
The study examined 23 competitive swimmers, age 17 and up. The swimmers were evaluated during a period of rest, at least 3 days after their last competition or strenuous training workout. The evaluation tests included standard lung capacity testing, allergy testing, and bronchoscopy with biopsy collection for pathological evaluation.
The findings of the study demonstrated inflammatory and airway remodeling changes in bronchial biopsies of competing swimmers similar to non-athletes with mild asthma. In fact, some of the measured inflammatory parameters were greater than that seen in asthmatic subjects. A majority of the swimmers had atopy (allergic hyperresponsiveness), an important point according to the authors, “as a recent hypothesis stated that atopy may develop in swimmers because of an increasing exposure to chlorination products.”
Whether recreational swimmers and children will develop these changes remains to be determined. However, according to the authors, “reduction of chloramine exposure in pool environments should be considered.”
Reference:
Airway remodeling and inflammation in competitive swimmers training in indoor chlorinated swimming pools. Bougault, V, Loubaki L, Joubert, P et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; Vol. 129(2):351-358
Introduction
Walk into a building with a pool and you can instantly tell it’s there by the smell. No matter how big the building, small the pool, or robust the heating and ventilation system, that characteristic “chlorine” smell is there. If you are like me, a few minutes of exposure to the smell will bring tightness to my chest, itching to my eyes, and after about 20 minutes a light headed feeling. Go outside and it all goes away in about an hour. Swim and it can take days to return to normal. Competitively swim or swim daily and you probably get so used to the air you become acclimated to the irritation of disinfection byproducts (DBP). In the past few years, a lot of research has defined what causes this smell, what effect it has on swimmers, and what can change the creation of DBP’s so the pool becomes a “you don’t know there is a pool until you see it” experience. [Read more…]
Creative Water Solutions (www.cwsisthebest.net — CWS) announced October 19th, 2011 that it has filed for a patent under the heading —Use of Moss to Reduce Disinfectant By-products in Water Treated with Disinfectants. The patent will cover all of its products that use the moss-based water treatment, including PoolNaturally®, PoolNaturally® Plus, SpaNaturally®, and SpaNaturally® Plus.
After a 33-week scientific study of two large, commercial indoor swimming pools in the Twin Cities area, CWS measured the levels of DBPs and VOCs and the impacts of the resulting from the use of Sphagnum moss. The test found that its sphagnum moss product, PoolNaturally Plus, dramatically reduced DBP and VOC levels, reducing odor, decreasing chemical smells and their unpleasant side effects on swimmers, lifeguards, maintenance and other staff.
DBPs are created in pool systems through the chemical reaction of the chlorine disinfectant with organic matter in a pool, or spa. Many DBPs are toxic compounds, such as trihalomethanes (THM) and halocetic acids, and are the main source of the odor and health issues associate with pool facilities and use.
“Our tests found significant DBP reductions and air quality improvements, clearly establishing another significant benefit of the PoolNaturally-Plus system. THM’s, such as chloroform, are created in the water and then move into the air of a facility. The demonstrated reduction of THM’s in the pool water correlates nicely with the reduction of chloroform in the air and the subsequent increase in air quality” says Vance Fiegel, CWS’s Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder. “Our data shows that besides reducing the amount of chemicals needed to treat water (and lessening irritants to swimmers, maintenance time and corrosion of motors and liners) the moss is also providing measureable air quality benefits:
• THM levels plummeted between 73-80% once the moss was introduced into the pools.
• Chloroform showed a 55% reduction in the air of the pool facility.
According to Dr. David Knighton, MD, CWS President, CEO and co-founder, the scientific data reflects the anecdotal reports the company has consistently been receiving from management and staff at other indoor swimming pools.
“We are very excited to discover yet another benefit of this miracle plant and innovative water conditioning agent,” Knighton notes. “Our customers at many college pools and those at indoor water parks like Chaos, located in Eau Claire, Wi., can corroborate our most recent scientific discoveries about air quality enhancement with the personal evaluations and experiences of those who work daily in an enclosed swimming environment.”
Knighton cited a representative case study recently done at Chaos with Barry Thompson, a retired Navy Master Chief who helped design the facility and currently is its chief operator:
· At most water parks, chlorine disinfection by-products permeate the air at a park’s indoor and outdoor areas: “You can usually smell the heavily chlorinated water in the parking lot. At Chaos you don’t get that smell inside or outside — or on your clothes and in your hair after you leave,” Thompson says.
· Lifeguards are reporting a dramatic reduction in headaches from chloramines and disinfection byproducts due to the reduced usage and the increased efficacy of chlorine to deal with bacteria producing agents and organic material in the water.
· The lifeguards and other staff are reporting less absenteeism thanks to a more natural, less chemical work environment.
For more information — or to interview Vance Fiegel or Dr. Knighton — please contact Martin Keller, Media Savant Communications Co., 612-729-8585, kelmart@aol.com
Creative Water Solutions is proud to announce its involvement and support of the Debbie Meyer Swim School Makeover Project.
Check out the exciting makeover at the Debbie Meyer Swim School and all the various energy savings that can be achieved by applying current knowledge and the latest technologies to maintain superior water clarity and sanitation
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be awarding Creative Water Solutions for its work with the city of St. Paul and their public pools. With the help of Creative Water Solutions and its Sphagnum moss products, the city of St. Paul dramatically reduced chemical usage at all of their municipal pools. Creative Water Solutions’ Sphagnum moss product has been solely responsible for saving St. Paul over $70,000 by reducing both chemical usage and maintenance/labor hours.
The award will be given at the Minnesota State Fair on August 31, 2011 in the EcoExperience Building.
If you would like to learn more about Creative Water Solutions work with The City of St. Paul and the award, click on the video link.
Public Pools Green Iniative by TheMnPCA