Ice Arenas Research Articles

Contribution of technical and operational factors to nitrogen dioxide concentration in indoor ice arenas

A standardized questionnaire on technical and operational features and an indoor measurement of one-week average nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) concentration were used in a study of 69 Finnish ice arenas. The weekly NO 2 concentration ranged between 2 and 1838 μg/m 3 (arithmetic mean 332 μg/m 3) and it was significantly associated with the power source/fuel of the ice resurfacer (p =0.0001). The mean NO 2 concentrations in arenas with propane-, gasoline-, or electrically-powered resurfacers were 396, 283, and 25 μg/m 3, respectively. Statistical modeling explained 70–75% of the total variation in the indoor:outdoor ( I O ) ratio of NO 2 and it indicated that the resurfacer power source/fuel and the arena volume were the strongest contributing factors. The use of ventilation, the number of resurfacings, and the presence of a catalytic converter on a resurfacer contributed much less to the I O ratio. The results suggest that it is feasible to focus nation-wide abatement measures on the power source of the ice resurfacer (electric engine, reduction in combustion engine emissions).

Characterization of Air Quality Problems in Five Finnish Indoor Ice Arenas

ABSTRACT The air quality in five Finnish ice arenas with different volumes, ventilation systems, and resurfacer power sources (propane, gasoline, electric) was monitored during a usual training evening and a standardized, simulated ice hockey game. The measurements included continuous recording of carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations, and sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Emissions from the ice resurfacers with combustion engines caused indoor air quality problems in all ice arenas. The highest 1-hour average CO and NO2 concentrations ranged from 20 to 33 mg/m3 (17 to 29 ppm) and 270 to 7440 µg/m3 (0.14 to 3.96 ppm), respectively. The 3-hour total VOC concentrations ranged from 150 to 1200 µg/m3. The highest CO and VOC levels were measured in the arena in which a gasoline-fueled resurfacer was used. The highest NO2 levels were measured in small ice arenas with propane-fueled ice resurfacers and insufficient ventilation. In these arenas, the indoor NO2 levels were about 100 times the levels measured in ambient outdoor air, and the highest 1-hour concentrations were about 20 times the national and World Health Organization (WHO) health-based air quality guidelines. The air quality was fully acceptable only in the arena with an electric resurfacer. The present study showed that the air quality problems of indoor ice arenas may vary with the fuel type of resurfacer and the volume and ventilation of arena building. It also confirmed that there are severe air quality problems in Finnish ice arenas similar to those previously described in North America.

Toxic gas exposures in ice arenas.

To determine the number of states with laws monitoring toxic gases in ice arenas. To inform physicians who care for ice skaters of the dangers of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide exposure in ice arenas. Survey, literature review. Health Departments of the 50 states and Washington D.C. At risk are users of ice arenas. Vigorous exercise (hockey or competitive figure skating) and underlying pulmonary or cardiovascular disease increase the risk toxicity. Toxic gas concentration is determined by the amount of production from internal combustion engines, effectiveness and use of the ventilation system, and the "cold air pool" over the ice. Number of states with laws regulating toxic gases in ice arenas. Only two states (Minnesota and Rhode Island) have laws regulating toxic gases in indoor ice areas. Physicians and the public are generally unaware of this problem. Toxic gas exposure in ice arenas is under recognized and underreported. The risks are not documented in journals generally seen by physicians who care for skaters. Conversion to electric ice resurfacing machines--the best solution--is not economically practical; legislation on the monitoring of toxic gas levels offers a reasonable alternative.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at an Indoor Ice Arena and Bingo Hall—Seattle, 1996

On March 16, 1996, paramedics and fire department personnel were requested to evaluate complaints of illness among persons exposed to exhaust fumes in an indoor ice skating facility in Seattle. Indoor-air measurements detected elevated levels of carbon monoxide (CO), prompting evacuation of the building. An investigation of the cluster of CO poisonings related to the exposure was conducted March 16-18, by a pulmonary and hyperbaric medicine physician who treated one of the ill persons. This report summarizes the investigation findings, which underscore the importance of adequate maintenance of machinery equipped with internal combustion engines that are operated at indoor ice arenas and of proper ventilation of such arenas.

An Outbreak of Nitrogen Dioxide—Induced Respiratory Illness Among Ice Hockey Players

During February 1987 an outbreak of nitrogen dioxide-induced respiratory illness occurred among players and spectators of two high school hockey games played at an indoor ice arena in Minnesota. The source of the nitrogen dioxide was the malfunctioning engine of the ice resurfacer. Case patients experienced acute onset of cough, hemoptysis, and/or dyspnea during, or within 48 hours of attending, a hockey game. One hundred sixteen cases were identified among hockey players, cheerleaders, and band members who attended the two games. Members of two hockey teams had spirometry performed at 10 days and 2 months after exposure; no significant compromise in lung function was documented. Nitrogen dioxide exposure in indoor ice arenas may be more common than currently is recognized; only three states require routine monitoring of air quality in ice arenas, and the respiratory symptoms caused by exposure to nitrogen dioxide are nonspecific and easily misdiagnosed.

Problems created for ice arenas by engine exhaust.

Episodes of illness in separate arenas from carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide exposures are described. Excessive air concentrations of these gases resulted from the operation of ice resurfacing machines. Carbon monoxide concentrations up to 250 ppm following one episode and nitrogen dioxide concentrations up to 40 ppm following the other were found. All 45 ice arenas in Minnesota were visited subsequently to evaluate the variables responsible. Engine exhaust and ambient air data are presented. Infrared analyzer recordings of carbon monoxide concentrations in three arenas are shown. Possible methods of controlling exhaust gas problems are discussed.