NEWS RELEASE
June 4, 2004
For immediate release
Contact:
Christa Dickey
cdickey@acsm.org
COMMON CHLORINE CONCENTRATIONS IN POOLS CAN
CAUSE OR ENHANCE BREATHING PROBLEMS IN SWIMMERS
Even athletes with no history of ailment show signs of breathing trouble
after swimming in chlorinated water
INDIANAPOLIS – Chlorine in pools leads to breathing trouble in
trained swimmers, regardless of past history of such problems, and the
likelihood increases with the amount of chlorine used in the water A
study presented today at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American College
of Sports Medicine (ACSM) showed an incidence rate of over 60 percent
for Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) after several minutes of
swimming in water chlorinated at a concentration commonly found in home
and public pools.
Trained swimmers participated in the study by testing the capacity of
their lungs after swimming in pools with different levels of chlorine
and also by running and cycling next to the pools. Exercise intensity
and duration remained the same for each test. Researchers then used a
machine to test airflow during forced exhaling to diagnose
bronchoconstriction. When the chlorine concentration was 0.5
parts-per-million (PPM) or less, the incidence rate for respiratory
trouble was just under 20 percent the same as with exercise outside the
pool. But when the chlorine concentration reached 1.0 PPM, a
concentration commonly recommended for the care of home pools, the rate
of EIB jumped to over 60 percent, regardless of prior history of such
breathing problems.
"We’ve long suspected that chlorine has an adverse effect on
the respiratory health of swimmers,” said lead researcher Arthur
J. Williams, M.D., of the Sport Science Institute of South Africa.
“Now we know the likelihood increases significantly with the
concentration of chlorine used. Swimmers should be aware of the
concentration of chlorine exposure they receive, and those who care for
pools should closely monitor chlorine levels.”
The researchers add that caution is especially necessary since
swimming is often prescribed as an effective exercise for asthmatics.
They reason that it is more important that these swimmers utilize pools
where the chlorine concentration of the water is kept below 0.5 PPM.
They point out that recommended chlorine level for disinfecting private
pools can be as high as 2.0 PPM.
"This research is the first to investigate how increases in chlorine
concentrations in swimming pools can enhance respiratory
problems,” said Williams. “We hope people who appreciate
swimming as a quality form of exercise will continue to reap its
enormous physical benefits, but also be more aware of the potential
hazards. We believe these hazards can be minimized through awareness and
proper pool maintenance.”
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports
medicine and exercise science organization in the world. In 2004, ACSM
celebrates 50 years of leadership and scientific contribution. The
College was founded in 1954 by a small but dedicated group of 11
professionals interested in the study of physical activity and sports.
Today, more than 20,000 International, National, and Regional members
carry on the Founders’ goals of advancing and integrating
scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of
exercise science and sports medicine.
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NOTE: The conclusions outlined in this news release are those of the
researchers only, and should not be construed as an official statement
of the American College of Sports Medicine.
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