In addition to the more than 10 poisoning incidents reported in Canadian ice arenas between 20 (Drake et al.
These adverse health effects, particularly for certain individuals including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, are expected to be exacerbated during periods of strenuous exercise and may also be affected by cold temperature conditions consistent with those found in ice arenas (Leuppi et al. There are several factors that can contribute to elevated air pollutant levels in ice arenas, such as resurfacing equipment fuel type, equipment malfunction, inefficient pollutant removal through building ventilation systems, and lack of monitoring of, and response to, elevated pollutant levels.Įxposure to these pollutants, particularly CO and NO 2, are recognized to cause adverse health effects, including eye and respiratory irritation, asthma exacerbation, flu-like symptoms, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness or death in extreme cases. This equipment emits air pollutants, CO and NO 2, as well as fine and ultrafine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), primarily due to incomplete fuel combustion. To maintain the ice surface, ice resurfacers and edgers powered by internal combustion engines (i.e., propane, natural gas, gasoline, diesel) are typically used. In Canada, over 2,000 indoor ice arenas are used routinely by hundreds of thousands of people who watch or participate in activities such as hockey, figure skating, ringette, and recreational skating (IIHF 2020).
A checklist for improving indoor air quality, and monitoring of and responding to air pollution in ice arenas is provided in appendix A. The strategies provided in this document can be modified as required. Ice arena operators and/or managers can best improve air quality and help protect occupants' health by considering ice resurfacing equipment fuel type and operation, following maintenance schedules, ensuring adequate ventilation, and improving air circulation and air pollutant monitoring and response actions to elevated CO and NO 2 levels.Īs each ice arena is unique, certain situations may require a tailored approach to control pollutant levels.
Implementing best practices for improving air quality in an ice arena is a multistep process that should consider equipment options, use and maintenance of equipment, emission source reduction and removal actions, regular air monitoring, and actions for pollutant concentrations exceeding recommended health-based exposure limits. It also provides an overview of the potential health effects of poor air quality in ice arenas as well as detailed guidance for the development of a monitoring and response framework. This guidance is intended to help public officials, managers, and employees maintain and improve air quality in ice arenas by providing evidence-based recommendations. Recommendations for reducing the levels of air pollution in arenas can provide a framework for minimizing the risk of health effects for people using ice arenas, including vulnerable populations (e.g., children and the elderly). Resurfacers and edgers used to maintain the ice surface in these arenas are typically powered by internal combustion engines, which emit air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), both of which are associated with adverse health effects. In Canada, over 2,000 indoor ice arenas are used routinely by hundreds of thousands of people for activities such as hockey, figure skating, ringette, and recreational skating (IIHF 2020).
0 kommentar(er)
