Officials Discount Possible Asthma Links—

Is It Dangerous To Take A Dip…Indoors?

By Kendra Bobowick

Stories about increased risks of asthma for children who use indoor pools has raised curiosity but not alarm as officials consider the possibility of an indoor pool for Newtown.

With a definitive “no,” Michael Carey, the Newtown Health District’s senior sanitarian, said he is not concerned about indoor pools in particular. Locally, the Newtown Parks and Recreation Department has discussed the possibility of placing an enclosed pool on the Fairfield Hills campus. Director Barbara Kasbarian said the pool will likely start out as an outdoor facility and will eventually be enclosed in a retractable roof and sided with glass. This scenario is just one possibility to satisfy the town’s need for a pool facility to compensate for the loss of the pool at Dickinson Park.

The state’s Department of Public Health Toxicologist Dr Gary Ginsberg also reserved alarm.

He said, “Many, many people use indoor pools and doctors don’t necessarily connect problems to pools.”

Ms Kasbarian has also reviewed studies suggesting an asthma, chlorine, and indoor pool link. The town already has one enclosed pool at the high school that receives limited use from her department, she said. Dr Ginsberg indicated that the emerging reports might provoke a closer look into a relationship between young children’s asthma and pools, however.

“It’s far from proven but the associations may prompt research,” he said.

One report suggests that rates of childhood asthma rise roughly two to three percent for every indoor pool per 100,000 people. (Related information can be found at webmd.com/content/article/124/115834.htm.)

Dr Ginsberg also shared some doubts saying, “Throughout the state there are thousands of people using indoor pools, so I am not sure health concerns in these studies stands up to the experience of the people using the pools.”

Mr Carey did explain that certain situations will exacerbate asthma symptoms, however. He said, “There are some things that can affect the asthma issue. A lot of things in the environment could affect asthmatics and everyone has a different level of sensitivity.”

Even mild activity may require some asthma sufferers to use an inhaler, for example. He also indicated that strong smells might be an irritant. Mr Carey then turned his attentions indoors.

“Indoor air quality is an issue with asthma and poor air turnover could concentrate,” he said. Chlorine may be the problem, as reports focus on the chemical used to sterilize swimming water.

Another report states, “The long-term effects of chlorine byproducts on children’s respiratory health should be thoroughly evaluated, and that pools should be properly ventilated and levels of chlorine by-products regulated.” (See news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/health/5186446.stm.)

Chlorine in the air inside a building is a possible downside for children with asthma, notes one report previewed on tvnz.co.nz. (Search for “Asthma.”)

With sentiments similar to those shared by Dr Ginsberg, recent information also stresses that chlorine does not cause asthma, and that experts have expressed that no need exists to keep children away from the water unless they show signs of being allergic to the chlorine. Parents with children with allergies may consider keeping children away from pools, he said.

As research continues, he said, “In the meantime you have all sorts of folks using pools. The message is, if you’re not bothered by your usual routine, keep doing it.” Dr Ginsberg advises that pool guests contact the family doctor if signs of a rash or respiratory condition develop.

Overall, Ms Kasbarian said, “I would have to see definitive proof….if proof surfaces it would be a matter of people making their own choices.” Currently included on the recreation department’s five-year plan is a proposal for a recreation center and pool facility, all of which would progress in phases, beginning with the pool.