01
Mar
2019
Hygiene & Health

How to Help Prevent Getting Sick at Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Waterparks
19
Oct
2018
Pool Maintenance
by Kevin Boyer, a guest author

Protecting Swimmers from Accidental Chlorine Gas Exposures

A Thousand Oaks, California swim school was the setting of the recent accidental exposure of 19 people to a surge of chlorine gas into the pool area. Likely generated during an equipment malfunction, the gas sent a dozen people with breathing difficulties to area hospitals, according to a news report. A similar event occurred this... Read More »
17
Aug
2018
Pool Maintenance
by Bob G. Vincent, MPA

The 2018 Model Aquatic Health Code

Did you know that there is a voluntary code in the US that provides free, evidence-based guidance on a myriad of details of design, construction, operation and maintenance of public swimming pools and spas? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the third edition of this code1, known as the Model Aquatic Health... Read More »
20
Jul
2018
Hygiene & Health
by Water Quality & Health Council

Personal Hygiene at the Pool: Kids’ Worksheets and Activities

Swimming in the pool is one of the healthiest and most fun-filled summertime activities available to children. Safe swimming depends on several factors, including proper swimming instruction, lifeguard supervision, and pool water quality management. Few people realize, however, that safe pool swimming also depends on swimmers’ hygiene. The new, downloadable Healthy Swimming Education & Activity... Read More »
06
Jul
2018
Hygiene & Health
by Water Quality & Health Council

More Swimmers through “Lessons from Lylah”

Each summer for the past few years, the American Chemistry Council has supported the National Swimming Pool Foundation’s Step Into Swim® program initiative known as “Angels of America’s Fallen” (AOAF). “Angels” provides healthy activities, including swimming lessons, for the children of our country’s fallen military and first responders. This summer, the Council has donated $5,000... Read More »
15
Jun
2018
Hygiene & Health
by Ralph Morris, MD, MPH

Checking on the Health of Public Aquatic Facilities

Aquatic Facility Risks Summer is synonymous with water fun, a time to enjoy community, hotel and resort pools, hot tubs and waterparks. But what are the risks associated with these aquatic facilities? This spring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an update on swimming pool waterborne disease outbreaks in the US. What... Read More »
25
May
2018
Hygiene & Health
by Ralph Morris, MD, MPH, and Chris Wiant, MPH, PhD

Swimming Pool Sanitizer and Shower Myths

Swimmer hygiene was once a relatively taboo topic. In 2009, we broke the ice by reporting on a survey that found one in five American adults admit to having “peed in the pool.” The floodgates were open! In recent years, we’ve written about the swimming pool as a “communal bathtub” and one in which one... Read More »
15
May
2018
Hygiene & Health
by Water Quality & Health Council

Would You Know If Your Local Pool Failed Its Health Inspection? Unlikely, Survey Reveals

New Survey Finds Many Swimmers Unaware of Potential Health Risks Millions of Americans will soon head to their local swimming pool, but a new survey finds that many swimmers aren’t aware they might be wading into potential health risks at the pool. Would swimmers know? The annual Healthy Pools survey, conducted by the Water Quality &... Read More »