Respiratory risks of indoor swimming pools

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/respiratory-risks-of-indoor-swimming-pools

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary airborne contaminant?Trichloramine (NCl3) is a volatile disinfection byproduct known for its irritant properties
2. What is the formation trigger?Reaction between chlorine disinfectants and organic matter from swimmers (sweat, urine, etc.)
3. Why does the air near indoor pools sometimes feel itchy or make my nose run?The water is treated with chlorine, and when swimmers touch the water, the chlorine mixes with sweat, skin cells, and other stuff. This creates tiny gases called disinfection byproducts, like trichloramine, that can irritate the nose and lungs.
4. Can breathing the air around an indoor pool make me cough or feel wheezy?Yes, the gases can cause inflammation in the airways, making people cough, wheeze, or feel short of breath, especially if they already have asthma or allergies.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs): Chemical compounds formed when disinfectants react with organic matter in water, some of which can become airborne.
Trichloramine (NCl3): A volatile gas formed in pools that is a potent irritant to the respiratory system.
Epithelial Lining: The thin layer of cells that covers the surfaces of the body, including the inside of the respiratory tract.
Bronchoconstriction: The tightening of the muscles around the airways, causing them to narrow and making breathing more difficult.