‘20‑year‑old treated after chlorine exposure in pool, discharged’

Bhopal: District civil surgeon Dr Sanjay Jain said a 20‑year‑old woman was brought to JP Hospital around 6 pm on Wednesday with eye and throat irritation after exposure to chlorine. She was treated in the outpatient department and was not admitted.

“In severe cases, chlorine exposure in water can cause irritant pharyngitis,” he said.

More than 20 children who were practicing at the Prakash Tarun Pushkar swimming pool on Link Road No 1 earlier that evening were also affected witnesses said. The incident occurred at about 5 pm when a strong chemical odor was noticed and several swimmers began coughing and experiencing breathing difficulties. Parents and pool staff evacuated the pool and took the affected to JP Hospital.

Pool manager Hemant Jaria said the leak resulted from a technical malfunction in the chlorine pipeline that allowed gas to escape after a rise in air pressure, the affected storage tank was replaced and the leak contained.

Experts have previously urged that pool operators maintain correct chlorine levels and that swimmers exit the water immediately if they detect a strong chemical smell, eye irritation or breathing problems.