The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55128

Carlos A Sanchez, MD, MPH, Disasters Epidemiology and Assessment Team, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE (Mailstop E-23), Atlanta, GA 30333, 4044981376, csanchez@cdc.gov and Joshua A. Mott, PhD, Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-17, Atlanta, GA 30333.

Background: The public health impact of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide exposure in indoor ice arenas is well documented. We assisted the State of Pennsylvania in an epidemiologic investigation of an incident occurring at a single ice rink to identify risk factors for respiratory and pulmonary illness among amateur hockey players. Methods: We conducted phone interviews to investigate risk factors. A probable case was defined as any hockey player present at the ice rink on a specific day who reported two or more respiratory symptoms during the game. A confirmed case was a probable case who reported hemoptysis. A NIOSH team undertook environmental sampling and evaluation. Results: 21 of 44 players (48%) were probable cases and 9 (20%) were confirmed cases. Regression analysis indicated that neither confirmed nor probable case status was significantly associated with the amount of time spent on the ice. Probable (OR=28.5; 95%CI=5.59-145.44), and confirmed (OR=14.54; 95%CI=1.65-128.41) cases were significantly more likely to have used the locker room immediately adjacent to the heater room, where the ice resurfacer was parked, and those who spent over 90 minutes inside the locker room were more likely to develop hemoptysis (OR=6.88; 95%CI=0.93-50.78). NIOSH documented that the ventilation system was drawing air from the heater room into the adjacent locker room. Conclusions: Hockey players are not only at risk of exhaust exposure while on the ice surface, but also in the locker rooms. Air quality monitoring in closed ice arenas should include rooms potentially exposed to emissions from the ice-resurfacing machine.

Learning Objectives:

• increase awareness of other potential sites for exposure to exhaust gases from ice resurfacer machines

Keywords: Air Pollutants, Environmental Exposures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.