Nasal dysfunction induced by chlorinate water in competitive swimmers.
OBJECTIVE
Swimmers commonly complain of nasal symptoms probably due to mucosal irritation caused by chlorinated water. The aim of the present prospective study was to investigate changes in nasal function and cytology in a cohort of 15 volunteer competitive swimmers, as compared with a control group of 15 competitive athletes practicing other sports.


METHODS
Olfactory threshold for n-butanol was measured in a population of competitive swimmers. Changes in nasal function and cytology were compared between the two groups of volunteer competitive athletes.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of mean 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test scores, peak nasal inspiratory flow, pulmonary peak expiratory flow, or total nasal resistance on anterior active rhinomanometry. Nasal mucociliary transport time (MCTt) was significantly shorter for the non-swimmers than for the swimmers. The mean olfactory threshold for n-butanol in the swimmers was significantly lower than in the other group of athletes.


CONCLUSIONS
Data seem to confirm the utility of MCTt in studying nasal mucosa damage caused by chlorinated water. The present results also support the hypothesis of a role for the olfactory threshold in evaluating damage to the olfactory mucosa exposed to chlorinated water.
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. giancarlo.ottaviano@unipd.it
G
G
Ottaviano
A
A
Staffieri
P
P
Stritoni
A
A
Ermolao
S
S
Coles
M
M
Zaccaria
G
G
Marioni
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D054879:Halogenation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000502:physiology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D013550:Swimming; D013551:Swimming Pools; D018508:Water Purification; D055815:Young Adult