NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

"Lifeguard lung": endemic granulomatous pneumonitis in an indoor swimming pool.

Rose CS; Martyny JW; Newman LS; Milton DK; King TE; Beebe JL; McCammon JB; Hoffman RE; Kreiss K

Am J Public Health 1998 Dec; 88(12):1795-1800

https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.88.12.1795

20023473

Two sequential outbreaks of respiratory disease among lifeguards at an indoor swimming pool with water spray features were investigated. Questionnaires were administered to recreation center employees following each outbreak. Respondents reporting 2 or more pool-related symptoms were offered clinical evaluation, including bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy. Pool air and water were sampled for fungi, bacteria, amoebae, endotoxin, and respirable particulates. Thirty-three lifeguards had noncaseating granulomas on biopsy and/or bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis. Attack rates for the outbreaks were 27% and 65%. Case patients had higher cumulative hours of work and tended to work more hours per week. Analyses indicated increased levels of endotoxin in pool air and water (relative to control pools) and gram-negative bacterial colonization of water sprays. Use of water spray features generated a 5.2-fold increase in the number of respirable particles and up to an 8-fold increase in air endotoxin levels. Lifeguards in this indoor swimming pool developed granulomatous lung disease associated with endotoxin-containing respirable bioaerosols from water spray features, which ventilation system improvements did not prevent.

Respiratory infections; Respiratory system disorders; Biopsy; Water sampling; Air sampling; Fungi; Bacteria; Endotoxins; Respirable dust; Particulates; Humans; Lung disease; Microorganisms

National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO 80206, USA

AJHEAA

19981201

Journal Article

1999

12

0090-0036

DRDS; DSHEFS

American Journal of Public Health

CO; MA; WV; OH