First, thanks to all of you who responded!
Edna, how funny that we both have 4 year old Lee-las! Yes, we say ours the same way. She'll be five this July. It's a family name for us. We haven't met any others. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Maci's mom - now that I've done more research I think these pools can be really great, but tricky to manage. Read what I've learned below.
Emily, <i>of course</i> you swim regardless of whatever might be said. You wouldn't be your true rebel self otherwise. I fully expect Leila to throw a finger at most things said by the time she's your age. However, as her Mom I'd be incredibly remiss to not at least pause to consider that the physician we entrust her care with might have a valid point.
After talking with docs and reading, I have a much better understanding of the whole salt water pool issue. Here's what I've learned:
First off, the salt water is the best part. Nobody argues that it's not great for everyone, including people with CF. Salt water pools are sanitized by chlorine generators. You don't have to store chlorine and add it yourself, which is a nice bonus. So they do have chlorine, but at a much lower concentration. Salt water pools have 0.5 to 1.0 ppm of chlorine, while standard chlorine pools have 3.0 to 10.00 ppm chlorine. My doctor's concern with salt pools is the low level of chlorine. He explained it isn't enough to kill bacteria people with CF are susceptible too. Plus, chlorine's ability to kill bacteria is mediated by the pH of the water. In salt water pools the pH rises more rapidly then in standard pools. As pH increases (making the water more basic) the killing power of chlorine decreases. The recommended pH for pool water is 7.5. At a pH of 7.5, 50% of chlorine is in the molecular structure of hypochlorus acid, the active, killer form. When you raise the pH even slightly, to 8.0, it drops to 21%. So salt water pools must be very carefully managed to keep the pH right. Everything affects pH - people, rain, etc. It is recommended that you check the pH daily.
Okay, so that made sense to me. I learned that salt water pools also have a high chlorine setting. So it seems reasonable that if you set the chlorine high and check the pH regularly that it would be fine. With that in mind I called the nice neighbor who invited us to the pool party and explained why I had asked about her salt water pool. After telling her about Leila and the chlorine issue she said she'd have no problem setting the chlorine to high and checking the pH. She was super nice about it and said she can't wait for us to move in because her girls are looking forward to playing with mine (they met the evening we drove over). So I am thrilled and relieved.
I hope someone else found this helpful!
