Research Foundation for Health and Environmental Effects, a non-profit founded by the American Chemistry Council, and leading UV manufacturer, Engineered Treatment Systems LLC, step in as funding partners to help continue commitment to fund research that will advance the industry’s future.
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, December 8, 2011—Over the past seven years,
the board of directors of the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) has given back
over 4 million dollars to fund research to demonstrate health benefits and to reduce injury
and disease in and around the water.
This year, the National Swimming Pool Foundation board has awarded four grants totaling
$180,995. One health benefit grant was awarded to Utah State University and three injury
prevention grants were awarded to University of Arizona, Purdue University, and the
University North Carolina-Charlotte (UNCC). These grants will sustain ongoing research
supported by NSPF in recent years and embark on new research. Industry partners Research
Foundation for Health and Environmental Effects, a non-profit organization founded by
the American Chemistry Council, and leading UV manufacturer, Engineered Treatment
Systems LLC, donated to specific grants.
The board maintains its’ commitment to encourage increased aquatic activity through
funding evidence-based research. “We refuse to allow the economy to deter us from
promoting aquatics,” remarked Bill Kent, retiring Chairman of the NSPF Grant Review
Committee. “The science eliminates the bad things and discovers the good things that show
how getting in water benefits humankind,” he added.
Health Benefit Research - Osteoarthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 27 million
people in the U.S. suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). At
the recent World Aquatic Health Conference™,
researchers Dennis Dolny, Ph.D. and Eadric
Bressel, Ph.D., Utah State University,
reported on a two-year study funded by NSPF,
pioneering the use of aquatic interval training for
people with OA. “This is a significant study to establish
guidelines for using an underwater treadmill to improve mobility and movement with less
swelling and discomfort,” explained Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D., CEO of the National
Swimming Pool Foundation. “Early results are encouraging, and we are optimistic that a
larger statistical group will result in similar findings.” These researchers have been
awarded a grant of $15,552 to continue to pursue this research as they examine the
improvements in osteoarthritis sufferers.
Injury Prevention Grants
Several high-profile studies have suggested that exposure to aquatic
environments may increase risk of asthma, cancer and other serious
diseases. These studies often lack information on how the pools were
managed and treated, and details of swimmer exposure. As a result, it is
impossible to apply the findings to other pools or to reproduce and
verify the studies. Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., University of Arizona, has
been awarded a grant of $65,459 to develop standardized questions
that researchers can use when performing a health impact study. “Defining the problem is a
big part of finding a solution,” commented Dr. Lachocki. “The more thorough the studies,
the more impactful the solutions.” Non-profit Research Foundation for Health and Environmental
Effects has partnered with the National Swimming Pool Foundation on this landmark project.
The NSPF is also funding work to understand and define the
chemistry of disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation in
chlorinated, indoor pools. Ernest Blatchley III, Ph.D., P.E.,
BCEE, Purdue University, was awarded a grant of $75,000
as the first step in a three-year program to research
combined UV and chlorine swimming pool water disinfection
methods. The research will examine the effects of combined
treatment on water and air chemistry in chlorinated, indoor pool settings. The grant,
managed and administered under the NSPF industrial research grants category, includes
donations from the Research Foundation for Health and Environmental Effects and one leading UV
manufacturer, Engineered Treatment Systems LLC. The goal of this work is to give industry,
regulators, facility operators and management a better understanding of swimming pool
disinfection byproduct chemistry and technology options for their control, including
Cryptosporidium inactivation. In turn this information will be helpful in reducing human
exposure to DBPs in recreational water facilities. Questions about this project should be
directed to Professor Blatchley ([email protected]).
Acute recreational water illnesses prevention also remains an important
area of research. In September 2011, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) reported a 72 percent increase in outbreaks
2005-2006 versus the prior two-year period. This is a record number of
outbreaks since the CDC began monitoring recreational water illness.
Nearly half the outbreaks were caused by the parasite, Cryptosporidium
(Crypto). Reversing this trend will require improvements in swimming
pool disinfection and operation, pool regulations and enforcement, and swimmer hygiene. In
recent years, James Amburgey, Ph.D., University of North Carolina-Charlotte
(UNCC) through NSPF grants, has made significant advances in understanding pool water
filtration and its impact on Crypto removal. Dr. Amburgey has been awarded a grant of
$24,984 to create a bather load model and assess the impact of bather load on
Cryptosporidium-sized microspheres.
In addition to research the NSPF has funded directly to Dr. Amburgey’s team, the
foundation also manages and administers an industrial research grant studying filtration and
removal of Crypto. Industrial research grants enable multiple organizations to partner to fund
key projects. This specific industrial research grant may exceed $200,000, raised through
industry donations. Dr. Amburgey has directed $25,000 of the grant to the CDC to assist in
performing research. The goal of the research is to develop better product label instructions,
standard operating procedures, and remediation strategies to reduce the risk of waterborne
disease outbreaks. Manufacturers of water clarifiers, filter aids, and advanced filter designs
wishing to join the fight against Crypto outbreaks in pools should contact Dr. Amburgey
directly at [email protected] to explore whether testing their products would be
beneficial.
Understanding and controlling the chemistry, microbiology, engineering and management
will yield safer environments. “The better we understand the issues, the better we are
positioned to ensure future growth,” said Dr. Lachocki. “The great news is anyone can help
support this work by simply investing in their own knowledge with purchase of NSPF
educational materials and programs,” he concluded.
Research results are reported at the annual World Aquatic Health Conference, next year in
Norfolk, Virginia, October 10-12. Seminars from prior conferences are available online, on
demand at www.nspf.org.
NSPF accepts grant, scholarship and fellowship applications annually by June 1, respectively.
Complete guidelines for applying may be found at www.nspf.org or by calling Margaret
Smith at 719-540-9119.
About NSPF®
The National Swimming Pool Foundation® is a non-profit organization established in 1965,
dedicated to improving public health worldwide and is the leading educator of aquatic facility
operators and pool and spa professionals, and the chief philanthropic research sponsor in
the aquatics field. NSPF works towards its mission to encourage healthier living by
increasing aquatic activity through education and research with its growing collection of
multi-lingual educational products, certification and training, and sponsors the annual
World Aquatic Health™ Conference, now in its 9th year. Visit www.nspf.org.
