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Asthma and swimming pools linked

by Roger Sinasohn (Subscribe to Roger Sinasohn's posts)
Jun 29th 2006 1:59PM

2Comments

Filed under: Activities: Babies, Health & Safety: Babies

A new study (a full text PDF is also available) published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found a link between the amount of time children spent at an indoor chlorinated swimming pool and an increased risk of developing asthma. The problem appears to be with trichloramine, a highly concentrated by-product of chlorination. It is generated when chlorine comes in contact with urine, sweat, or other organic matter. This is the gas that gives indoor swimming pools their characteristic chlorine smell. It has also recently been found to cause damage to the lung epithelium of swimmers and to cause occupational asthma in lifeguards.

According to the study, the risk of developing asthma is greatest when children under 7 years old regularly play in an indoor, chlorinated pool. Several theories about this are mentioned, but the "most critical factor is that exposure to all these chlorination products culminates in children precisely at a time when their lungs are still developing. A significant proportion of lung development indeed takes place post-natally during a period that extends up to the age of 6 to 8 years." Based on this study, it sure looks like indoor pools are not the best place to hang out in the summer. Outdoor pools are a better choice, but if you must head for an indoor pool, try to make sure it's well ventilated.

This is worrisome to me, both for myself and for my kids. My younger brother and I both spent an inordinate amount of time in swimming pools; I taught swimming, was on my high school swim team, and swam for fun and exercise while my brother both taught swimming and worked as a lifeguard. He has pretty bad asthma; I don't. As for my kids, they're in an indoor pool building for about an hour a week, but living as we do in San Francisco, indoor pools are about the only choice if they want to swim. Although I saw no mention of this on the American Academy of Pediatrics website, it seems at least a plausible reason to reconsider swim lessons for the very young. Personally, however, I think the benefits still far outweigh any risks. What are your thoughts? Are there any other swimmers who have asthma?

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