Ocular and respiratory symptoms among lifeguards at a hotel indoor waterpark resort.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the cause of eye and respiratory irritation symptoms among lifeguards at an indoor waterpark.


METHODS
Investigators 1) performed environmental sampling for chloramine, endotoxin, and microbials; 2) administered symptom questionnaires; 3) reviewed ventilation system designs; and 4) reviewed water chemistry.


RESULTS
Airborne trichloramine concentrations were found at levels reported to cause irritation symptoms in other studies. Some endotoxin concentrations were found at levels associated with cough and fever in previous studies. Exposed lifeguards were significantly more likely to report work-related irritation symptoms than unexposed individuals. The ventilation system may not have provided sufficient air movement and distribution to adequately capture and remove air contaminants at deck level. No water microbes were detected, and water chemistry met state standards.


CONCLUSIONS
Indoor waterparks need to control water chemistry and ensure adequate air movement and distribution to control air contaminants and reduce health symptoms.
Dang
Bich
B
CDC/NIOSH, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
Chen
Lilia
L
Mueller
Charles
C
Dunn
Kevin H
KH
Almaguer
Daniel
D
Roberts
Jennifer L
JL
Otto
Charles S
CS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D002700:Chloramines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006294:Health Resorts; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013551:Swimming Pools; D013696:Temperature; D055815:Young Adult
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D002700:Chloramines; D004731:Endotoxins; C030816:chloramine