Widening the Pool of Factors: Studies Needed to Assess Asthma–Swimming Link

Several epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between childhood asthma and exposure to disinfection by-products (DBPs) in the swimming pool environment. In August 2007 a group of clinicians, epidemiologists, exposure scientists, pool operations experts, and analytical chemists met to discuss the literature on childhood asthma and swimming pools, and to develop recommendations for future research. In a review based on the results of that workshop, the authors state that current evidence, while suggestive, is inconclusive for an association with childhood asthma, and they point to several substantial data gaps that must be filled [EHP 117:500–507; Weisel et al.]. The authors articulate several variables that must be measured in more detail to properly characterize inhalation exposure to chemicals