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
Old dog-
I checked out the links. Thanks
Valhallan-
I talked some of our local folks last night. The YMCA has ordered a new air handling unit (I am unlcear as to what exactly this is) and it is supposed to be installed next week. So, the Y is trying to help with the problem. However, a local engineer told me that it probalby won't help, because the return ducts are undersized.
There is an over-all renovation going on at the YMCA. Unfortunately a new full-sized pool did not make it in the plans. In the next phase of construction there is to be a small warm water pool put in to accommodate swim lessons and water therapy. Don't get me started on why this was a terrible choice....but....a new air handling system to upgrade the old pool may be part of Phase II. We'll have to follow up on that.
Getting people to shower is the rule, but still a problem. Everyone resists it. The water workout ladies (otherwise known as the hairdo ladies) are as much of a problem as the kids. The lifeguards yell at the kids, but not the ladies. They are probably loaded with perfume, etc..
Old dog-
I checked out the links. Thanks
Valhallan-
I talked some of our local folks last night. The YMCA has ordered a new air handling unit (I am unlcear as to what exactly this is) and it is supposed to be installed next week. So, the Y is trying to help with the problem. However, a local engineer told me that it probalby won't help, because the return ducts are undersized.
There is an over-all renovation going on at the YMCA. Unfortunately a new full-sized pool did not make it in the plans. In the next phase of construction there is to be a small warm water pool put in to accommodate swim lessons and water therapy. Don't get me started on why this was a terrible choice....but....a new air handling system to upgrade the old pool may be part of Phase II. We'll have to follow up on that.
Getting people to shower is the rule, but still a problem. Everyone resists it. The water workout ladies (otherwise known as the hairdo ladies) are as much of a problem as the kids. The lifeguards yell at the kids, but not the ladies. They are probably loaded with perfume, etc..
