Childhood asthma and environmental exposures at swimming pools: state of the science and research recommendations.

Objectives: Recent studies have explored the potential for swimming pool disinfection by-products (DBPs), which are respiratory irritants, to cause asthma in young children. Here we describe the state of the science on methods for understanding children's exposure to DBPs and biologics at swimming pools and associations with new-onset childhood asthma and recommend a research agenda to improve our understanding of this issue.

Data Sources: A workshop was held in Leuven, Belgium, 21-23 August 2007, to evaluate the literature and to develop a research agenda to better understand children's exposures in the swimming pool environment and their potential associations with new-onset asthma.

Respiratory effects in the aftermath of a major fire in a chemical waste depot.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate respiratory effects among emergency services first responders and residents with exposure to combustion products in the aftermath of a chemical waste depot fire.

Methods: The study population comprised 138 individuals who were present in the area downwind of an accidental fire. Identified by telephone interview six years later, subjects with persistent respiratory symptoms were suspected as having Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS).