Public Health Consequences from Acute Chlorine Releases Associated with Swimming Pools, 2002-2008

Currently, there is limited documentation about the public health consequences of chemical exposures due to swimming pools. The majority of the literature that exists regarding chemical exposures from swimming pools focuses on individual reports. Data from 17 states participating in the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) Hazardous Substance Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system were used to analyze the public health consequences of acute chlorine releases associated with swimming pools. From 2002-2008 there were 155 acute chlorine incidents related to swimming pools. Over 70% of the incidents affected residential neighborhoods. Over 66% of the chlorine incidents related to swimming pools had victims, of which there were 396. No deaths were reported. This analysis deviates from the majority of existing literature by providing population exposure instead of individual reports. Knowing the public health consequences of chlorine releases associated with swimming pools can lead to education and preventative efforts.