I have been swimming for at least 20 years. I am an ex-runner, and now swim, do power yoga, play tennis, walk, etc. I am in excellent shape, yet I am seriously torn as to whether or not I should give up swimming. The club I belong to has the best schedule and available lanes, (and I pay dearly per month as well!) yet for the last year, I've waged a battle about their incessant use of tilex, windex and some horrific smelling metal cleaner they use in the aquatic center while classes and swimming is going on. I brought in the warning articles about the toxicity of inhaling these chemicals, passed them out to instructors and fellow swimmers, managers, etc. Recently, an article was posted by our Poison Control Center about the dangers of inhaling such chemicals --which stated that ventilation was not enough to prevent health issues (Of course, they do not and will not open the door when cleaning). Despite all this info I've provided, they stop for while, then will claim there is the smell of urine in the shower (I was in both showers just seconds before and there was NO urine smell) and they have to use the Tilex, etc. The other day, the manager asked me how long I was going to swim, because they wanted to use the Tilex. They continue to lie to me and tell me they won't use these products, yet the smell is so strong in there all the time, you can barely breathe. I used to swm next to a guy who would get out of the pool and literally chase them out when they started spraying. I guess I need to consider a sex change.:bump: Unfortunately, there isn't another gym where I can go with such a great schedule. However, I'm really worried about breathing thse fumes. People complain all the time, but not to management, only to one another. It seems like I am defeating my purpose to stay healthy swimming there. Yet, I feel this is as important an issue as second hand smoke - there should be no toxic chemicals used while the center is operational. Geez, would they go into a yoga or spin class and start spraying chemicals? (I've asked them that question) Thanks for any input or suggestions:bow:
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Former Member
Here's a good resource for MSDS. It's got a good search engine and I can usually find most any MSDS. If it's not there, and you can get the product details, contact the manufacturer. They will provide an MSDS. If the fumes are causing you physical problems, I say hound them about it. However, I know that I am more sensitive to smells during and after a high intensity workout without those same smells causing me any problems.
Thanks, I really appreciate your help! I really cannot breathe, and as I said to Aquageek below, I'm not alone - many of the phys. therapists and instructors constantly complain, and I believe one of them did actually contact OSHA. It is a problem that does not need to exist.
Here's a good resource for MSDS. It's got a good search engine and I can usually find most any MSDS. If it's not there, and you can get the product details, contact the manufacturer. They will provide an MSDS. If the fumes are causing you physical problems, I say hound them about it. However, I know that I am more sensitive to smells during and after a high intensity workout without those same smells causing me any problems.
Thanks, I really appreciate your help! I really cannot breathe, and as I said to Aquageek below, I'm not alone - many of the phys. therapists and instructors constantly complain, and I believe one of them did actually contact OSHA. It is a problem that does not need to exist.
