{"id":431991,"date":"2020-05-14T10:06:44","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T17:06:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=431991"},"modified":"2020-05-22T19:51:49","modified_gmt":"2020-05-23T02:51:49","slug":"water-not-the-problem-at-swimming-pools-social-environment-is-issue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/water-not-the-problem-at-swimming-pools-social-environment-is-issue\/","title":{"rendered":"Water Not the Problem at Swimming Pools; Social Environment is Issue"},"content":{"rendered":"

Will it be safe to swim in a swimming pool? A Purdue University expert sets out the difference\u00a0between pool water and the environment<\/i><\/p>\n

Ernest “Chip” Blatchley III<\/strong>, an Environmental Engineering professor at Purdue University<\/a>, says there is no data to show how the coronavirus responds to chlorine, but that chlorine effectively inactivates similar viruses. The bigger issue as pools start to open up after COVID-19 lockdown, is the wider environment at swimming facilities, he suggests.<\/p>\n

Blatchley researches how chlorine in swimming pools reacts with contaminants such as human body fluids, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, according to a news release from Purdue University. He is one of the more respected people in his profession, having studied water treatment and chemistry for more than 20 years. His work has resulted in dozens of peer-reviewed published papers on pool water chemistry and he is currently serving on two committees within the\u00a0Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code<\/a>\u00a0to develop guidance on pool management in the U.S.<\/p>\n

Swimming pools across the United States are starting to re-open<\/a> to the public under strict guidelines that vary by state. The question that is on everyone’s mind: is it safe? According to Purdue University research, if pool chlorine levels are properly mandated, treated pool water poses minimal risk when it comes to spreading the disease. The bigger problem is coronavirus spreading through poor air circulation, overcrowding, and on contaminated surfaces. He notes:<\/p>\n

“In the U.S., the general guidance for keeping pools properly disinfected is maintaining a free chlorine concentration between 1 and 5 milligrams per liter,” Blatchley said. “If a pool has that concentration, there would be very little infective novel coronavirus in the water.<\/p>\n

“On the other hand, the air in an indoor pool is likely to pose similar risks of coronavirus spread as other indoor spaces. A person\u2019s risk would not be affected by the water. The most relevant issue would be contamination of the air or surfaces in these facilities.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Many states in the US have decided to open up public pools but have limited the number of patrons in a facility. USA Swimming sent out to each of its members<\/a> detailing strict guidelines that the swimmers will have to adhere to in order to run practice. A club team in Alaska incorporated special lane line shields<\/a> at the end of each lane to minimize the contact between swimmers when sitting at the wall.<\/p>\n

Swimming Through a Pandemic<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The postponements and cancellations wrought by COVID-19 haven\u2019t just affected the Olympics and the ranks of elite swimmers. They\u2019ve trickled down to neighborhood clubs and summer youth leagues, affecting thousands of recreational and competitive swimmers alike. Here is some of our coverage of COVID-19\u2019s effect on the American summer swimming calendar.<\/em><\/p>\n