Tag Archives: Pools

by | September 8, 2011 · 6:24 pm

Hospitality Industry Pool Safety: Hotel Pools Repeatedly Test "Unsafe" For "Psuedomonas" As The Bacteria Is "Chlorine Resilient"

“…about 10 percent of the pools tested in the region come back as bad, earning the “unsafe” rating. Most of those ratings come from the pseudomonas presence…Pseudomonas is ubiquitous; we all have it on our skin, that’s why you should take a shower first before swimming. 99 out of 100 people do not…Sometimes a pool or spa will have a problem especially the pseudomonas because it’s resilient to chlorine.”

Each day, four times a day, John Huggins tests and retests the water quality at the 130,000-gallon outdoor pool at Hart Ranch in Rapid City.

Despite the pool supervisor’s best efforts, his pool, along with more than a dozen of the city’s hotels’, continually fail to meet bacteria standards set by the state health department.

The Journal obtained hundreds of pages of records through a public information request. Of the 36 establishments in Rapid City with pools, about half had tests come back as “bacteriologically unsafe for swimming” this summer.

The 18 failing Rapid City hotels and motels house 36 individual pools, hot tubs or water parks. Of those, about half had tests come back positive for pseudomonas, a nasty bacteria that causes swimmer’s itch and other skin or ear infections.

Read more: http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/many-hotel-pools-sink-below-state-standards/article_4bcb4a2c-d84e-11e0-a833-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1XSfQSNSp

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by | July 21, 2011 · 6:30 am

Hospitality Industry Pool Safety: Young Boy Saved From Near Drowning In Michigan Hotel's "Murky" Pool During Pool Party

“…Blackman Township Public Safety deputy director Jon Johnston says the boy was pulled from the pool, limp and unresponsive. He adds the the child was a guest at a birthday party among nearly 25 other kids when he ended up in the deep end…”

“There were several adults in the immediate pool area and the mother was in the gathering area surrounding the pool so it was situation where one the kids they lost track of,”

A four-year-old boy is recovering, in serious condition on Wednesday after nearly drowning in a hotel pool. It happened at the Avalon Hotel and Conference Center in Blackman Township late Tuesday night. A guest from Stevensville, Michigan is being credited with saving the child’s life.

“The water was a little murky but I knew I saw somebody at the bottom of the pool — little legs, little arms.”

Bettig and his family were at the Avalon Hotel, just off US-127 for a memorial service for his father. “We came home to sit around the pool and look at some pictures of Dad and about fifteen minutes into looking at the photos my son bought it to my attention that there was a boy floating in the water,” said Bettig. “If it wasn’t for his eyes noticing — a couple minutes could have gone by and the little boy might not have had a chance.”

He says the child was underwater for a couple minutes before Bettig dove in. The child was pulled from the pool with a strong pulse but not breathing on his own. He was taken to Allegiance Hospital and then flown to the University of Michigan hospital.

For more:  http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/125881063.html

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by | July 6, 2011 · 8:23 am

Hotel Industry Pool Safety: Risks Of Dangerous "E. Coli" Outbreaks In Hotel Pools Increase As Chlorine Levels Decrease, pH Levels Rise Due To "Sunlight, Dirt And Material From Swimmers' Bodies"

“Because of the risk for outbreak of illness, it is essential that public pools and water parks follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for adequate chlorine and pH levels.”

Sunlight, dirt, debris and material from swimmers’ bodies can all reduce chlorine levels in pool water. That is why chlorine levels must be routinely measured. As pH goes up, the ability of chlorine to kill germs goes down, so pH levels also need to be tested. Specific regulations regarding testing timetables and testing procedures would prevent illness.

“…E. coli O157 can cause severe dehydration, hemorrhagic colitis (may require removal of part of the colon), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), sometimes referred to as E. coli kidney failure. In addition to uremia and renal failure, HUS can cause seizures, strokes, encephalopathy, acute respiratory distress syndrome, heart attack and heart failure, blindness, paralysis, pancreatitis and death…”

E. coli attorney Fred Pritzker is calling for better regulations for public swimming pools after fifteen people were sickened at the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatic Center in Opelika, Alabama. Parents should be able to bring their children to a public swimming facility without the children getting exposed to E. coli O157 or another dangerous pathogen,” said Pritzker. “Better regulations regarding chlorine and pH testing would help prevent E. colioutbreaks.”

To date, thirteen children and two adults who either played in the Splash Park or swam in the pool at the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatic Center between June 4 and June 22 were identified with severe gastrointestinal illness consistent with E. coli O157 poisoning. Five children have been confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7 infection.

Four children were hospitalized, and two remain hospitalized. “Based on the information that we have now, it appears that the common source of exposure was the Aquatic Center,” said State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson.

For more:  http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110630006874/en/E.-coli-Lawyer-Calls-Regulations-Wake-Opelika

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by | June 8, 2011 · 7:37 am

Hotel Industry Pool Safety Risks: Hotel Management Must Insure Full "Pool And Spa" Safety Compliance Including Drain Cover And "Clear Water" Maintenance

“…On average 566 people are hospitalized in Florida each year for injuries suffered from near drowning… Costs of a near drowning-related hospital stay range from $10,000 for standard 2-day treatment to $4 million in case of brain damage…”

“…Federal law requires public pools and hot tubs to be equipped with an anti-entrapment drain cover. A safety vacuum release system is required for those pools or hot tubs with a single main drain…”

 “…Keep pools clean and clear so that swimmers can be seen if they are in trouble in the water. This can prevent drownings. Also clean and clear water is a sign of disease free water. ..”

According to the Florida Department of Health, studies from 2001-2005 suggest that the state averages 465 deaths per year from unintentional drowning. Similar studies suggest that Florida ranks in the United States in drowning deaths for young children. A more recent statistic points that in 2008 71% Florida’s drowning deaths involved children ages 0-4. The federal and state laws offer some pool regulations through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007, named after a 7-year-old who died after the suction of a drain entrapped her underwater. Entrapment occurs when a pool’s filtration system sucks a child under water.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission enforces the law, and public places such as health clubs and hotels must comply or risk an immediate closure of the pool area. So the first step to pool safety is to make sure the pool drain complies with the law and has a safety vacuum release.

In addition to preventing the dangers from faulty drains there are other steps to make pools safer. Many pools with cloudy water may contain harmful bacteria. Believe it or not many deaths and injuries come from bacteria in pools and spas. Legionnaires disease is a disease that can kill and can be acquired from just sitting next to a dirty hot tub or spa. In a recent Orlando case a visitor from England died when exposed to Legionella bacteria and acquired Legionnaires disease sitting poolside next to a hotel spa next to the pool. If the hot tub is dirty or murky, stay away and contact the pool operator and the County Health Department. Your life may depend on it.

For more:  http://orlando.injuryboard.com/property-owners-liability-slip-and-fall/pool-safety-tips-for-summer-.aspx?googleid=291052

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by | December 26, 2010 · 12:06 pm

Hospitality Industry Guest Health And Safety: Hotel And Spa Owners Must Maintain Clean Workout Facilities, Pools And Spas

Gym Equipment Spreads Skin Infections

  • Staph infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, can spread through shared gym equipment, mats and towels.
  • Infections tend to occur near a cut or scrape, and on certain body parts (the armpits, buttocks, groin and neck).
  • They start off looking like a large pimple but can swell, become painful and produce pus.
  • If they spread to your bloodstream, they can be life-threatening.
  • Many clear up on their own, but seek medical attention if a fever develops or if the area becomes enlarged, red, tender or warm.

Prevention:

  • Use the alcohol spray or wipes that most gyms provide to wipe off equipment before and after use.
  • Place a clean towel over mats used for doing sit-ups, stretching or yoga.
  •  Don’t share towels with others.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
  • Shower after working out. If you have a cut or scrape, keep it covered with a clean adhesive bandage and don’t use hot tubs or whirlpools.

Dirty Pools Teaming With Bacteria

  • Poorly maintained swimming pools are common, allowing bacteria and viruses to cause outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness.
  • Inspections at 3,666 health clubs in 13 states found serious lapses requiring the immediate closing of 10 percent of the pools (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Improperly maintained circulation and filtering systems and skimpy disinfection were among the most common problems.

Prevention:

  • Require showers with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing a baby’s diaper.
  • Don’t use the pool if the water has a strong chemical smell or appears cloudy.
  • Pool water should have little odor and be clear enough that you can easily see the bottom.
  • Chlorine and pH levels should be checked at least twice a day, and the pool’s latest inspection score should be recorded.
  • Chlorine should be 1 to 3 parts per million (4 to 6 ppm for hot tubs), and pH should be 7.2 to 7.8.

For more:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/20/AR2010122004711.html?wprss=rss_health

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by | June 27, 2010 · 7:39 am

Hotel Pool Health Risks: Use Of Chlorine Kills Many Pathogens But Produces Chloramines That Can Cause Respiratory And Ocular Illnesses

“…although chlorine kills many potential pathogens, it can also react with human wastes such as perspiration, urine, skin particles, and lotion in pool water to form chloramines and trihalomethanes. Chloramines may remain in the pool water or volatilize into the air, where they create the pungent smell and acutely irritating properties of air above swimming pools..”

“…an outbreak associated with a swimming pool and attributed to chloramine exposure led to cough or ocular symptoms in > 70% of pool patrons interviewed.  Chloramine levels in pool water depend on chlorine and nitrogen concentrations, pool pH, temperature, and water circulation patterns.

However, chloramine levels in the air above swimming pools are also influenced by ventilation and the pool water chemistry. Indoor pools are likely to be less well ventilated than outdoor pools, so the risks associated with chloramine exposure are likely to differ between indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

For more:   http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.9555

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by | May 10, 2010 · 5:51 am

Hotel And Resort Mineral Spa Safety: Risk Of Disease Transmission In Pool Spa Water Tied To Water Filtration Systems

“There’s a risk of disease transmission, there’s a risk of injury, there’s a real risk of death.”

The resort’s pool licence was revoked after inspectors found the water filtration system wasn’t working properly.

The issue lies with the pool’s 23 skimmers, which circulate the water through a central filter.

Engineers say that because of the high amount of minerals in the water, 19 of them are no longer working.

(From a WinnipegFreePress.com article)   There’s a storm a-brewin’ at a luxury resort north of Regina where health inspectors ordered a mineral spa closed this weekend over health and safety concerns.

Dwight Hayter, CEO of the Manitou Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa, said Saturday he’s got “24 layoffs and a hotel full of unhappy guests” on his hands.

“We don’t think this was necessary,” he said, acknowledging there are problems with the spa but insisting he wasn’t given enough time to fix them.

“To have another month, month-and-a-half extension on such an important issue as this, we didn’t think was a stretch.”

But deputy medical health officer John Opondo said the spa has been on probation for more than two years.

“We have been working with them progressively, we’ve had provincial partners involved in a peer review process to really try and bring them into compliance,” said Opondo.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/life/oddities/luxury-spa-at-saskatchewan-resort-closed-over-health-concerns-92599504.html

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by | May 7, 2010 · 5:05 am

Hotel Pool And Spa Health And Safety: Proper Water Chemistry Controls Are Essential To Maintaining Guest Health And Limit Illnesses (Video)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCrDkXevV4Y]

A short video that describes basic water chemistry and the controls required for safe water.

Proper water chemistry is essential to maintaining safe and consistent swimming pool operation. Chemicals used in swimming pools include: Disinfectants to destroy harmful or otherwise objectionable organisms; Alkalinity and pH Adjusters to maintain a consistent acid-base relationship and acid buffering capacity; Chlorine Stabilizer to prevent unnecessary loss of chlorine; Algicide to kill and prevent algae, and Filter Aids to help remove foreign material. Following is a discussion of various factors which affect water chemistry, how they affect swimming pools and how to use pool chemicals to restore a properly balanced water chemistry.

http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/chem.htm

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by | May 5, 2010 · 5:07 am

Hotel And Resort Pool Health And Safety: Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI) Have Increased Over The Past Two Decades

Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans.

(From a CDC.gov posting)   RWIs can be a wide variety infections, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea. Diarrheal illnesses can be caused by germs such as Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli O157:H7. In the past two decades, there has been an increase in the number of RWI outbreaks associated with swimming.

CDC’s Healthy Swimming program offers information and resources to raise awareness about RWIs and how to prevent them.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/

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by | March 5, 2010 · 10:30 am

Hotel Pool Safety: Near Drowning Highlights Need For Hospitality Industry To Increase Pool Safety, Including Flotation Suits And Fencing

“…the hotel plans some additional safety measures, including mandatory life jackets on everyone up to 42 inches tall.”

“…One thing the general manager has already done is to introduce a swimsuit guests can buy that has flotation properties incorporated right in the suit, which cannot be taken out.”

Lori and Chad Granger’s family gathering at the Holiday Inn water park in Otsego was supposed to be a time of celebration. Instead, the couple nearly lost their three-year-old daughter after she almost drowned Jan. 16.

Family members’ children were in the pool under the watch of four lifeguards who rotated stations every half hour. Guest Paul Peikert of Rogers says his own children had been disciplined twice while in the water by watchful lifeguards.

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But the day began unraveling for the Grangers when Lori left her daughter under an uncle’s care so she could greet her sister who was just arriving, according to what she wrote on a blog.

The mom continues writing that she had her three-year-old in the kiddie pool and had taken her flotation devices off so the girl could go down a kiddie water slide. Then the uncle was asked to watch her as she played.

However, after just a moment, the uncle became distracted and wandered off, leaving the little girl unattended, according to Lori‘s blog.

In that instant, accounts from family members and the Wright County Sheriff’s deputies state that the three-year-old apparently got out of the kiddie pool and jumped into a 3-foot deep adult pool to play with older cousins.

 http://erstarnews.com/content/view/11539/26/

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