Nasal Mucociliary Transport after Exposure to Swimming Pool Water

Abstract

Swimmers often complain of nasal dryness, and reports have suggested that swimmers may have an increased incidence of chronic rhinosinusitis (“Swimmer's Sinusitis”). To assess the affect of swimming pool and ocean water on mucociliary transport, a saccharine-particle test was used after spraying the noses of 10 subjects under four test conditions: control, water, hypertonic saline (the concentration of ocean water), and swimming pool water. Nasal transit time was significantly prolonged after administration of swimming pool water, in comparison to the other three test conditions. Although hypertonic saline also prolonged transit times in comparison to water and control, these differences were not significant. The relationship between exercise, swimming pool water, and mucociliary transport will be discussed.