“Is your pool water safe” is a constant thought lurking in the mind of most pool (or spa) owners. This type of caution is well founded. A recent article appeared in Environmental Health Perspective Journal (Volume 111, Number 8, June 2003, page 1102) entitled “Do U.S. EPA Water Quality Guidelines for Recreational Waters Prevent Gastrointestinal Illness? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” by Timothy Wade, gave a statistical summary of 27 previous studies covering this topic. According to the article few studies measured duration and intensity of exposure. Those that did found that a higher risk of GL (gastrointestinal) illness was associated with longer or more intense exposure or with an increase in the number of times water was swallowed. Their results indicate that indicators of viral contamination (enterovirus and bacteriophage) may be promising predictors of GI illness. In fresh water, E coli was superior … at predicting illness and the E coli guideline level was supported. What this all means is that this is just another wake up call for all the pool and spa industry. We should all take note that whatever sanitizer system we manufacture, promote or sell; we need to take accountability that the product does what it needs to for safe swimming.
It should be an ideal time for dealers to reflect how their sales pitch and information that is conveyed to pool owners would not jeopardize the safety of them and their family members. This consideration is especially important for families with small children. As we all know that children, especially the young ones are in that pool water with their mouths wide open with excitement and joy splashing in the pool. As much water that is splashed out of the pool may equal the amount of water that is swallowed by a child. We must all take responsibility that the information we give the pool owner will give the best safeguard to this young folks.
It disturbs me when I hear tales about dealers who advise pool owners that testing of the pool water for proper sanitizer levels can be adequately done by the pool store by bring in water samples weekly. This definitely can not possible be adequate for a safe pool. I am the president of a small manufacturer of pool test strips, but I assure you that my interest in this is not in how many more test strips we can sell, but how we can make the pool experience safe for all of us -especially the children. It is in fact one reason that ITS sells all our quality test strip products at the lowest prices because we care about the children and that testing the pool for proper pool chemistry should not be expensive. Testing may be very, very important-it may save a child from GI illness or worst yet from a serious illness that could even result in death.
