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Pool problems under review The safety of Whistler's new Meadow Park Sports Centre is under review as the Worker's Compensation Board handles three claims from staff at the pool.

Pool problems under review The safety of Whistler's new Meadow Park Sports Centre is under review as the Worker's Compensation Board handles three claims from staff at the pool. Although full-time staff at the facility have been complaining of respiratory, skin and eye problems, believed to be caused by high levels of chloramines in the air, an official report on the safety of the pool will not be available until January. Chloramine is the result of chlorine becoming mixed with contaminants such as hair, dirt and bacteria. Tom Hickey, RMOW recreation facilities manager, says in a press release that "the WCB has tested chlorine levels in the air as late as last week and have found the levels to be well within guidelines. All the water quality measures meet Health Department standards." The press release goes on to state the municipality "hired a consulting engineer to review the mechanical systems at the pool to ensure the systems meet required performance standards." Officials at the Workers' Compensation Board confirmed they are dealing with three individual files from staff at the aquatic centre, but they cannot discuss the details of the cases. The Meadow Park Sports Centre, which opened its doors to the public in July, includes an 11,255 litre hot tub, a 103,500 litre leisure pool and a six-lane 481,500 litre lap pool. The facility is equipped with a Pool Pac dehumidifier and fan system and the filtration system uses CL2 (chlorine) as a disinfectant coupled with ozone, used as an oxidizer to aid in the coagulation of water borne particles. A Whistler-based specialist in pool filtration, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it appears the filtration and ozone systems, designed to keep the water clean using lower levels of chlorine, may not be large enough to adequately filter the high-volume of swimmers at the pool. The airborne chloramines would not have any adverse effect on people visiting the pool for up to five hours a week, he said, but the 14 staff members at the pool, who work there 40 hours a week, could experience eye, throat and skin problems if the chloramine levels rise. Problems with prolonged exposure to chloramines were identified earlier this year in a report that dealt with amateur swimmers who spend up to 50 hours a week in and around pools. Many of the swimmers were more susceptible to colds, bronchitis and other respiratory irritations than non-competitive swimmers. Two weeks ago, the pool was closed for two days to repair underwater tiling.