SWIMMERS’ COMPLAINT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27229, 4 November 1949, Page 5

SWIMMERS’ COMPLAINT

OVER-CHLORINATION OF POOL

HARMFUL EFFECT ON EYES Complaints being made by swimmers concerning the harmful effects on their eyes of over-chlorination of the Municipal tepid pool were mentioned by Mr D. S. Forsyth at Tuesday’s meeting of the Otago Swimming Centre, Mr Forsyth stating that, while bad enough for the ordinary swimmer, it was particularly distressing to those Empire Games nominees who were training for two or three hours every day. Mr Forsyth added that he knew of one swimmer who had had to seek medical attention because of eye trouble arising from the excessive chlorination of the pool. Some effort should be made to see that chlorine was so used in the water as to make it possible for a swimmer to remain

in the water for considerable periods without suffering any harmful effects. He moved that the City Council be asked to conduct a thorough investigation with a view to rectifying the position. “ The trouble is not new—it has been going on for some time,” said Mr DReid, seconding the motion. Mr B. F. Simonsen: Many swimmers who have remained in the pool for

much lesser times than those mentioned have complained of eye trouble. It should be possible to devise somb mixture that will not affect the eyes of the swimmers using the pool. Mr W Wallace said that a swimming official who had returned from England had data in his possession which could remedy the position if utilised by the City Council. * The motion Was carried.