A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report states that one in eight swimming pool inspections in five states in 2013 resulted in immediate closure due to serious health and safety violations. Is it any wonder that officials with CDC are asking swimmers to be their own pool inspectors this summer? The agency
This summer when you don your bathing suit and walk out onto the pool deck, you may be in for a sensory experience that conjures up happy memories of summers past—warm sunshine, sparkling pool water and the smell of chlorine. If the chlorine smell is very strong, however, you may soon spot “red-eyed” swimmers emerging
For America’s Most Fun Form of Summer Exercise, Experts Urge Swimmers to Use Senses to Stay Healthy at the Pool As Americans jump into another fun-filled summer of swimming, a new survey finds that most don’t know the real reason why some pools have a strong chemical smell. A survey conducted on behalf of the
Is swimming your exercise of choice this winter? According to the US Census Bureau, swimming is America’s fourth most popular recreational activity after (1) walking, (2) exercising with equipment and (3) camping. Unless you’re a polar bear, indoor pools help make swimming a year-round option, and swimming brings health benefits galore. But how do you
Who We Are: The WQ&HC is a multidisciplinary group of independent experts sponsored by the American Chemistry Council’s Chlorine Chemistry Division. The group’s knowledge and experience span science and medicine, public health policy, consumer advocacy, environmental engineering, risk assessment and emergency response. In 2016, the American Chemistry Council and the WQ&HC will celebrate the 25th
Summer’s nearly over and many backyard swimming pool owners will soon undertake their annual “pool draining ritual.” Draining the water helps prevent damage to pools in geographic areas subject to freeze-thaw cycles. This article provides information to help you drain your pool responsibly. What’s the Big Deal? It’s easy enough to fill your pool with
There’s nothing like a swim in an outdoor pool in beautiful summer weather. As the open air is the domain of nature’s flying creatures, however, the occasional splat of bird droppings in the pool is to be expected. What, if anything, needs to be done about bird droppings in the pool? According to the US
We recently completed our annual Healthy Pools “radio media tour” of 23 radio stations across the US, during which we dispelled common swimming pool myths and promoted tips on staying healthy in the pool this summer. Here are some highlights from the tour: Myth: There is a dye that is used to identify swimmers who
Swimming is a skill that can provide endless enjoyment, help keep you fit, and even save your life. As a group of public health and safety professionals, we have been strong proponents of healthy swimming for nearly 25 years. We believe all children should learn to swim, and that is why we are so impressed
Kiddie pools can bring hours of delight to young children on a hot summer day. But unlike larger pools, small plastic and inflatable kiddie pools are normally not equipped with water filters or treated with chemicals that remove germs and balance pH. Add to this the fact that hygiene is not a strong suit of the kiddie pool set, and a few helpful tips are in order for safe fun in the kiddie pool: