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
Deb,
I am a mechanical engineer who designs building systems. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a hot topic in the Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry these days. You may want to contact an engineering firm in your area - particularly one that does IAQ assessments. This would either find the problem or at least eliminate the HVAC system as the problem.
Indoor pools present a unique situation- the humidity levels are high due to the large water surface evaporating continusously. Moisture can cause problems in these types of spaces if there is a poor design or a failure in the system.
Also, you should try to determine why the space is kept so warm. If it is at 88-90F, that is way too warm for a workout. The heat is putting extra stress on the swimmers and hindering performance.
Good luck.
Deb,
I am a mechanical engineer who designs building systems. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a hot topic in the Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry these days. You may want to contact an engineering firm in your area - particularly one that does IAQ assessments. This would either find the problem or at least eliminate the HVAC system as the problem.
Indoor pools present a unique situation- the humidity levels are high due to the large water surface evaporating continusously. Moisture can cause problems in these types of spaces if there is a poor design or a failure in the system.
Also, you should try to determine why the space is kept so warm. If it is at 88-90F, that is way too warm for a workout. The heat is putting extra stress on the swimmers and hindering performance.
Good luck.
