Help with ? about poor air quality in pool - coughing swimmers
Former Member
I work out at a small YMCA pool. We have had increasing problems with our swim team kids and some of the masters swimmers struggling to breathe in the pool area during workouts (more than normal!). We get an asthma-like coughing response when working hard, and some kids now get it as soon as they walk in the pool room. My observation is that the problem has worsened recently. When asking the obvious questions of the staff, there has been no known change in the chemicals, etc. We get mostly shrugs of denial from the YMCA.
This really concerns us as parents and swimmers about what we are doing to our athletes' respiratory systems.
How can I get this problem diagnosed? What sort of professional could evaluate the problem? It could be an air quality issue caused by a chemical treatment problem, or an HVAC air handling problem, or both. Poor ventilation has been one theory.
Any suggestions?
Parents
Former Member
Thanks for your replies.
Alex- The coach is also a swimmer, and recognizes this as a real issue. He has thought it may be improved by opening the doors to the hallway. Unfortunately, up here in the winter, opening the doors to outside is not an option.
My son thinks opening the doors makes it worse. That doesn't make sense, but he's there every night, I'm not.
Rob- I will e-mail Jessica, and see if she has any suggestions. Thank you for the idea.
Victoria-
It does not seem to be a cold problem. Our pool and pool room usually are way too hot. For some reason the heat seems to kick on when the team is in there and it gets blazing hot (88-90 F). (from opening the doors?). If anything it seems worse when it is hot in the pool. And it is worse with lots of thrashing splashing swim team kids (however streamlined and fish-like....)
Thanks for your replies.
Alex- The coach is also a swimmer, and recognizes this as a real issue. He has thought it may be improved by opening the doors to the hallway. Unfortunately, up here in the winter, opening the doors to outside is not an option.
My son thinks opening the doors makes it worse. That doesn't make sense, but he's there every night, I'm not.
Rob- I will e-mail Jessica, and see if she has any suggestions. Thank you for the idea.
Victoria-
It does not seem to be a cold problem. Our pool and pool room usually are way too hot. For some reason the heat seems to kick on when the team is in there and it gets blazing hot (88-90 F). (from opening the doors?). If anything it seems worse when it is hot in the pool. And it is worse with lots of thrashing splashing swim team kids (however streamlined and fish-like....)
