Tests of the Maine South pool’s air quality, following complaints of significant breathing issues by members of the Hawks boys swimming team, found that there were indeed elevated levels of chloramine at the pool.
In three of the 25 samples taken during initial tests by TEM Environmental, a Glen Ellyn-based company, the airborne chloramine level was above 0.5 milligrams chloramine per cubic meter of air (mg/m3). TEM Environmental’s report cites 0.5 mg/m3 as the level established by the World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control that “irritation symptoms have been documented.” Three more samples were within .06 of 0.5 mg/m3.
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The results of the initial TEM Environmental tests were first reported by ABC 7 Chicago.
All six of those samples — including .51 mg/m3 on Tuesday, Jan. 26, and .57 and .55 on Wednesday, Jan. 27 — were taken in the evening, when the pool was used by YMCA swimming classes. Maine South’s boys swimming team was practicing off campus at the time due to worsening breathing problems some of its swimmers were experiencing. The Hawks’ final afternoon practice in the Maine South pool was on Thursday, Jan. 21, according to Maine South’s boys swimming and diving website. There were optional varsity practices in the morning at the Maine South pool, according to the website.
Daytime testing, when Maine South’s students were using the pool as part of their physical education classes, didn’t show any chloramine levels above .17 from Monday, Jan. 25, to Wednesday, Jan. 27.
TEM Environmental conducted more tests at the pool from Tuesday, Feb. 9, to Thursday, Feb. 11.
TEM Environmental’s testing couldn’t pinpoint what was causing the elevated levels of chloramine, specifically. The potential causes, the report says, include “1) pool water chemistry, 2) use patterns, 3) the amount of fresh air being introduced into the pool environment and 4) the presence of nitrogen containing compounds such as sweat and urine.”
The YMCA continues to use the pool at Maine South because none of its swimmers have experienced symptoms, according to Maine Township High School District 207 spokesman Dave Beery. The Maine South boys swimming team will conclude its season off campus, Beery added.
TEM Environment is expected to present the full results of its complete testing the week of Feb. 22. It will not provide a plan of action regarding potential fixes.
“TEM’s role is limited to testing air quality and presenting results,” Beery said. “They will not make recommendations. For that, we will be working in the next few weeks with an expert in aquatic facility engineering and another expert in ventilation systems.”
Eric Van Dril is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @VanDrilSports