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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
09:24
A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers
Published on: January 28, 2020
7.8K
Swimming facilities and work-related asthma
Kenneth D Rosenman1, Melissa Millerick-May, Mary Jo Reilly
1Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Michigan State University , East Lansing, MI , USA .
Summary
Swimming pool workers may develop asthma due to exposure to chloramines in chlorinated water. This study identified 44 cases of work-related asthma (WRA) linked to pool environments, highlighting the need for better ventilation and air monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Health
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Chlorinated swimming pool water may trigger or cause asthma, particularly for workers with prolonged exposure.
- Chloramines, formed from disinfectants and organic matter, are the suspected cause of this respiratory issue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and confirm cases of work-related asthma (WRA) in swimming pool environments.
- To investigate the occupations and exposure patterns associated with WRA in these settings.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed state surveillance data from California, Michigan, and New Jersey for confirmed WRA cases linked to swimming pools, water parks, or spas.
- Utilized a standardized method for case confirmation.
Main Results:
- Identified 44 confirmed WRA cases across three states between 1990 and 2012.
- Over half of the cases (52.2%) were new onset asthma.
- Maintenance workers (34.9%) and lifeguards (31.8%) were the most frequently affected occupations.
Conclusions:
- Swimming pool environments can trigger existing asthma or cause new-onset WRA in workers.
- Recommended regulations for air monitoring and improved ventilation to reduce chloramine exposure.
- Advised clinical assessment of asthma patients to include potential pool environment exposures.
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