May 2022: Direct From CDC/Environmental Health Services
Direct From CDC/Environmental Health Services Column
Journal of Environmental Health (Volume 84, Number 9)
Editor's Note: The National Environmental Health Association strives to provide up-to-date and relevant information on environmental health and to build partnerships in the profession. In pursuit of these goals, we feature a column on environmental health services from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in every issue of the Journal.
In these columns, authors from CDC's Water, Food, and Environmental Health Services Branch, as well as guest authors, will share tools, resources, and guidance for environmental health practitioners. The conclusions of these columns are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of CDC.
Tools From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Help Prevent Pathogen Transmission in Increased Risk Aquatic Venues
CDR Joseph P. Laco, MSEH, REHS/RS, CPO, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Samaria Aluko, MPH, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Michele C. Hlavsa, MPH, RN, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Description
Swimming is an exceptional way to get the physical activity and health benefits needed for a healthy life. In the U.S., bathers enjoy recreational water experiences in pools, hot tubs, and splash pads hundreds of millions of times each year, and most experiences are healthy, safe, and enjoyable. Swimming and other recreational water activities, however, do have some risks such as fatal and nonfatal drowning, disease outbreaks, and injuries associated with pool chemicals. Public pools, hot tubs, and splash pads should be designed, constructed, operated, managed, and inspected to help minimize risk of illness and injury.
This month's column explores the tools and resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help prevent disease transmission in increased risk aquatic venues such as splash pads and wading pools.