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Frequency of olfactory disorders among swimmers induced by chlorinated water

Author: Sabīne Atte, Riga Stradins UniversityScientific research supervisor: Dr. Gunta Sumeraga, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology; Riga Stradins University, Department of Surgery25.03.2015., Rīga

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Swimming develops all muscle groups, improves coordination and endurance.

Swimming

http://scub.unibz.it/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Healthy-heart-swimming.jpg

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ChlorineCommonly used water

disinfectant»kills microorganisms»reacts with organic matter

Cost-effectiveEasy to use [1]

BUT lead to the formation of many disinfection by-products [2]

http://swimsuit/wp-content/uploads/ 2013/01/shutterstock_61640410.jpg

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Chlorine and disinfection by-products

Chlorine and disinfection by-products are irritant substances that can affect the sense of smell, causing olfactory disorders [4].

http://www.uvgermi.fr/DOC-IMAGES/VERSION%20ANGLAISE/e_dechloraminator/aep%20chloramine%20pool.jpg

urea ~75mL, sweats 0.1 – 1 L

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Patients with anosmia:have changes in the taste of foodHave to select food by texture, color and custom,Have difficulties to identify sour milk, fear of perfume overapplication [4, 5],can't monitor inhaled chemicals, including dangerous

substances (natural gas, smoke) [6].

Decreased and Distored Olfactory Ability

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To assess the frequency of olfactory disorders occurrence among competitive swimmers

To rate chlorinated swimming pool water effects on swimmers’ sense of smell.

Aim

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Materials and Methods

A prospective study was conducted involving swimmers from swimming teams of Riga.

A standardized olfactory test evaluated swimmers’ sense of smell before and after a swimming workout, which lasted at least 45 minutes.

http://www.usneurologicals.com/media/ecom/prodlg/SniffinSticks%20400.jpg

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The study involved 43 swimmers:

• 35% women, 65% men

The average age was 18.4 ± 3.6 years.

Results

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Respondents` subjective evaluation of their sense of smell

Of the respondents, 90.7% subjectively evaluated their sense of smell as normal, 4.7% as reduced and 4.7% as increased.

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It was observed that 2.3% of swimmers’ sense of smell corresponded to the norm, 58.1% had small olfactory disorders and 39.5% had moderate olfactory disorders.

Olfactory test results compared with standardized test results according to age

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Comparison of olfactory test results before and after a workout

The sense of smell was unchanged to 46.5%, results were worse than before to 14% and results improved to 39.5% of swimmers (p = 0.01).

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Olfactory test results after swimming workout of swimmers who had rhinitis

After swimming workout 47% of swimmers who had rhinitis at the test execution time had better results than before the workout (p = 0.035).

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Long-term (> 5 years) swimming in a pool with chlorinated water had negative impact on sense of smell, causing mild to moderate olfactory disorders.

One swimming pool attendance did not adversely affect the sense of smell.

For those who had rhinitis, the sense of smell improved after visiting the swimming pool.

Conclusions

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Literature

1. Affi M.Z., Blatchley E.R III, Seasonal dynamics of water and air chemistry in an indoor chlorinated swimming pool. Water Research, 2015, 68: 771-783

2. Teo T.L.L., Coleman H.M., Khan S.J. Chemical contaminants in swimming pools: Occurrence, implicationsand control. Environment International, 2015, 76: 16–31

3. Toxicology data network. Chlorine. [Tiešsaite] – [atsauce 10.02.2015]. Pieejams:http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~GVdMeB:1

4. Lalwani AK. Chapter 10. Olfactory Dysfunction. In: Lalwani AK. eds. CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment in Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, 3e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2012.

5. Flint P.W., Haughey B.H., Lund V., Niparko J.K., Robbins K.T., Thomas J. R. and Lesperance M.M., Cummings Otolaryngology–Head And Neck Surgery, 6e. Elsevier, 2015, 626-639

6. Ropper AH, Samuels MA, Klein JP. eds. Adams & Victor's Principles of Neurology, 10e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2014.

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THANK YOU!