Incident Report: Harmful emission incidents at UK swimming pools

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A collection of 122 case summaries of harmful emission incidents at UK swimming pools between 1995-2024. 

The Pool Chemical Incident Register has been set up to help industry bodies gather data, identify trends, and take action to improve standards on such incidents. You can report an incident here. 

Statistics

The following statistics are based on 116 reported incidents as of 1 November 2023.  

• Three-year average - 2018-2020 (21 or 37%); 2021-2023 (35 or 62%). 
• Time - Morning (41 or 35%); Afternoon (51 or 44%); Not reported (24 or 21%).
• Weekday - Weekday (89 or 76%); Weekend (26 or 22%); Not reported (1 or 2%).
• Calendar month - Sep-Mar (67 or 58%); Apr-Aug (49 or 42%). 
• Facility type:
  • Leisure Centres accounted for 48 incidents (41% of total reported incidents). There are 1,385 Leisure Centre pool sites in the UK (42% of the total pool estate). 
  • Health Clubs and Hotels accounted for 39 incidents (34% of total reported incidents). There are 1,256 Health Clubs or Hotel pool sites in the UK (38% of the pool estate). 
  • Schools accounted for 15 incidents (13% of total reported incidents). There are 520 School pool sites in the UK (15% of the pool estate). 
  • Other facilities accounted for 14 incidents (12% of total reported incidents). There are 131 other facilities with pools in the UK (4% of the pool estate). 
• Hospitalisations - Yes (51 or 44%); No (65 or 56%). 
• Convictions - Yes (6 or 5%); No (100 or 95%). 

2024 - 7 incidents

• Everyone Active - Vale Farm, Wembley, Thursday, 29 August 2024. Nine attended the hospital. 
• Estelle Manor, Eynsham. Sunday, 30 June 2024. None attended the hospital. 
• Hellaby Hall Hotel, Sunday, 5 May 2024, 09:00. Five attended the hospital. 
• M Club - Stoke-on-Trent. Tuesday, 16 April 2024. None attended the hospital. 
• Everyone Active - Central Park Leisure Centre. Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 10:02. None attended the hospital. 
• Ufford Park Hotel - Melton. Wednesday, 6 March 2024. None attended the hospital.
• NL Active - The Pods - Scunthorpe. Sunday, 3 March 2024. One attended the hospital. 

2023 - 8 incidents

• Gold's Gym - Hanwell, Ealing. Monday, 11 December 2023, 20:35. Nine attended the hospital. 
• Everyone Active - Wellington Sports Centre. Friday, 3 November 2023, 07:38. None attended the hospital. 
• Lex Leisure - Crook Log Leisure Centre. Tuesday, 18 July 2023, 10:00. None attended the hospital. 
• Swim! Saturday, 1 April 2023, 08:50. None attended the hospital.
• Wick Community Campus. Friday, 24 March 2023, 11:20. None attended the hospital.
• Everyone Active - Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre. Wednesday, 22 March 2023, 08:15. One attended the hospital.  
• GLL - Highbury Leisure Centre. Sunday, 12 March 2023, 12:06. One attended the hospital. 
• Taverham Preparatory School. Tuesday, 24 January 2023, 11:30. None attended the hospital. 

2022 - 19 incidents

• The Appleton School - South Benfleet. Sunday, 11 November 2022, 13:56. One attended the hospital. 
• Life Leisure - Grand Central. Friday, 16 September 2022, 16:00. None attended the hospital. 
• Athelis Club and Spa. Friday, 2 September 2022, 14:50. Two people attended the hospital. 
• Ministry of Defence - Corporal Budd VC Gymnasium. Wednesday, 13 July 2022, 12:30. Four people attended the hospital.
• Hilton Double Tree - Glasgow. Friday, 1 July 2022, 14:42. None attended the hospital. 
• Waterworld - Stoke-on-Trent. Wednesday, 8 June 2022, 13:55. Two people attended the hospital. 
• Wave Leisure Trust - Seahaven Swimming Pool. Sunday, 6 June 2022, 19:10. None attended the hospital. 
• Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust - The Dome Leisure Centre. Sunday, 22 May 2022, 05:40. None attended the hospital. 
• Away Resorts - Cleethorpes Holiday Park. Tuesday, 10 May 2022, 10:50. None attended the hospital. 
• Gwynedd Council - Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen. Monday, 9 May 2022, 11:32. None attended the hospital. 
• Novotel - Fishergate. Friday, 15 April 2022, 15:30. Two people attended the hospital.
• Nuffield Health - Ealing Broadway. Wednesday, 13 April 2022, 12:51. None attended the hospital. 
• Nuffield Health - Canary Wharf. Friday, 8 April 2022, 09:00. None attended the hospital. 
• Better - London Aquatics Centre. Wednesday, 23 March 2022, 11:00. Twenty-nine people attended the hospital. 
• China Fleet Country Club. Friday, 18 March 2022, 21:25. None attended the hospital. 
• Parkwood Leisure - Crook Log Leisure Centre. Tuesday, 8 March 2022, 15:00. Two people attended the hospital. 
• Everyone Active - Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre. Tuesday, 22 February 2022, 14:50. Two people attended the hospital. 
• Everyone Active - Loftus Leisure Centre. Tuesday, 15 February 2022, 15:00. Six people attended the hospital.
• Everyone Active - Lammas Leisure Centre. Thursday, 3 February 2022, 21:17. None attended the hospital. 

2021 - 10 incidents

• Blaby District Council - Huncote Leisure Centre. Monday, 8 November 2021. None attended the hospital.
• Phillip Southcote School - Addlestone. Saturday, 23 October 2021. Two people attended the hospital.
• Fusion Lifestyle - Barton Leisure Centre. Friday, 22 October 2021, 01:00. One person attended the hospital. 
• David Lloyd Leisure - Worthing. Friday, 15 October 2021, 12:33. None attended the hospital. 
• McDonald Inchyra Hotel. Sunday, 26 September 2021, 19:30. None attended the hospital.  
• David Lloyd Leisure - Beaconsfield. Wednesday, 22 September 2021, 12:07. Four people attended the hospital. 
• David Lloyd Leisure - Ringwood. Tuesday, 14 September 2021, 13:04. None attended the hospital.  
• Solent Hotel & Spa - Whiteley. Monday, 23 August 2021, 20:44. Twenty-four people attended the hospital. 
• Killyhevlin Hotel. Monday, 2 August 2021, 20:48. None attended the hospital. 
• Circle Health Group - Hampshire Clinic. Thursday, 11 March 2021. One person attended the hospital. Convicted under s.2 and s.3 HSWA 1974. 

2020 - 2 incidents

• King's Foundation - King's School, St Albans. Thursday, 19 November 2020. None attended the hospital. 
• Park Holidays UK - Carlton Meres Holiday Park. Monday, 10 August 2020, 15:00. Two attended the hospital. 

2019 - 10 incidents

• Fusion Lifestyle - Tottenham Green Leisure Centre. Friday, 22 November 2019, 09:36. Four people attended the hospital.
• Broxtowe Borough Council - Bramcote Leisure Centre. Monday, 2 September 2019, 22:00. One attended the hospital. 
• Britannia Hotels, Pontins - Brean Pontins. Tuesday, 27 August 2019, 19:30. None attended the hospital. 
• Haven - Seashore Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth. Tuesday, 30 July 2019, 11:00. None attended the hospital. 
• Leonardo Hotel. Friday, 19 July 2019, 18:30. Six people attended the hospital. 
• Repton School. Tuesday, 25 June 2019, 09:54. None attended the hospital. 
• Wave Leisure Trust - Motcombe Swimming Pool. Thursday, 16 May 2019, 09:00. Two people attended the hospital. 
• Harbour Hotel - Brighton. Tuesday, 23 April 2019, 12:30. None attended the hospital. 
• Aura Leisure Management - Aura Leisure Centre. Saturday, 20 April 2019. Five people attended the hospital. 
• The University of Leeds - The Edge. Sunday, 12 January 2019. None attended the hospital.  

2018 - 9 incidents

• Derby City Council - Queen's Leisure Centre. 2018, Saturday 17 November, 09:30. None attended the hospital.
• Medway Council - Strood Sports Centre. 2018, Monday 22 October, 15:00. Four people attended the hospital. 
• Stevenage Leisure - Royston Leisure Centre. 2020, Thursday 15 October, 16:55. None attended the hospital. 
• Nestlestone Primary School. 2018, Thursday 11 October, 10:00. None attended the hospital. 
• Chelmsford County High School for Girls. 2018, Tuesday 9 October, 13:30. Seven people attended the hospital. 
• Edmund De Moundeford Primary School. 2018, Wednesday 2 May, 20:05. None attended the hospital. 
• Total Fitness - Wilmslow. 2018, Friday 13 April, 17:00. None attended the hospital. 
• Exeter City Council - Pyramids Swimming and Leisure Centre. 2018. Tuesday 10 April, 12:58. One person attended the hospital. 
• Ebbsfleet Academy - Kent. 2018, Wednesday 10 January, 10:20. None attended the hospital. 

2017 - 7 incidents

• Parkwood Leisure - Bicester Leisure Centre. 2017, Thursday 30 November, 06:56. None attended the hospital.  
• William Barnes Primary School. 2017, Tuesday 4 July, 06:30. None attended the hospital. 
• David Lloyd Leisure - Derby. 2017, Saturday 20 May. Eight people attended the hospital. 
• Fusion Lifestyle - Witham Leisure Centre. 2017, Saturday 18 March, 11:25. None attended the hospital. 
• Nuffield Health - Orthopaedic Centre, Headington. 2017, Thursday 16 February, 13:00. None attended the hospital. 
• David Lloyd Leisure - Colchester. 2017, Thursday 9 February, 15:50. None attended the hospital. 
• Wycombe District Council - Court Garden Leisure Centre. 2017. Sunday 22 January. None attended the hospital. 

2016 - 5 incidents

• Swale Community Leisure - Sheppey Leisure Centre. 2016, Friday 11 November, 15:56. One person attended the hospital. 
• Village Hotel - Farnborough. 2016, Tuesday 25 October, 06:00. None attended the hospital.  
• Sheffield City Trust - Springs Leisure Centre. 2016, Monday 16 May. Ten people attended the hospital. Convicted: £7,000 fine, £5,500 costs. 
• Better - Wimbledon Leisure Centre. 2016, Saturday 30 April, 10:15. Two people attended the hospital. 
• Shepway District Council - Hythe Swimming Pool. 2016, Saturday 2 April, 09:48. None attended the hospital. 

2015 - 7 incidents

• Prestwich Swimming Pool. 2015, Friday 9 October, 15:00. None attended the hospital.  
• Highland Council - Wick Swimming Pool. 2015, Monday 31 August, 16:00. None attended the hospital.  
• Winchester Hotel & Spa. 2015, Sunday 30 August, 06:45. None attended the hospital.  
• Fife Sports and Leisure Trust - East Sands Leisure Centre. 2015, Tuesday 25 August, 13:00. Nineteen people attended the hospital.  
• Haven - Wild Duck Holiday Park. 2015, Sunday 21 June, 14:35. Twenty-nine people attended the hospital. 
• Slough Borough Council - Montem Leisure Centre. 2015, Monday 16 March, 20:30. None attended the hospital.  
• Brio Leisure - Winsford Lifestyle Centre. 2015, Tuesday 10 March, 14:00. Ten people attended the hospital. 

2014 - 3 incidents

• GLL - Chesham Leisure Centre. 2014. Thursday 14 August. None attended the hospital. 
• All Saints Primary School. 2014, Tuesday 3 June, 11:00. Five people attended the hospital. 
• Cherwell District Council - Bicester Leisure Centre. 2014, Saturday 25 January, 06:35. None attended the hospital. 

2013 - 1 incident

• Sandbanks Hotel. 2013, Friday 4 January, 12:00. None attended the hospital. 

2012 - 5 incidents

• David Lloyd Leisure - Woking. 2012, Friday 30 November, 11:10. None attended the hospital. 
• David Lloyd Leisure - Ipswich. 2012, Wednesday 22 February, 06:45. Five people attended the hospital. Conviction: £70,000 fine, plus £60,000 costs.  
• Virgin Active - Northampton. 2012, Thursday 16 February. One person attended the hospital.  
• David Lloyd Leisure - Hampton. 2012, Tuesday 14 February, 11:30. None attended the hospital.
• Virgin Active - Croydon. 2012, Monday 13 February. None attended the hospital. 

2011 - 1 incident

• Wildern School. 2011, Monday 12 December. None attended the hospital. 
• Shenfield High School - Brentwood. 2011, Thursday 10 March, 08:40. None attended the hospital. 

2010 - 10 incidents

• Holiday Inn - Filton. 2010, Saturday 4 December. One person attended the hospital.  
• Aquadrome - Basingstoke. 2010, Monday 18 October, 08:45. Two people attended the hospital. 
• David Lloyd Leisure - Southampton. 2010, Monday 4 October, 10:37. None attended the hospital.  
• Vale of Glamorgan Council - Penarth Leisure Centre. 2010, Tuesday 14 September. None attended the hospital.  
• Leisure World, Aqua Splash - Hemel Hempstead. 2010, Thursday 19 August, 09:00. None attended the hospital. 
• David Lloyd Leisure - Aberdeen. 2010. Saturday 3 July, 15:00. One person attended the hospital. 
• Brighton and Hove City Council - King Alfred Leisure Centre. 2010, Sunday 4 April, 08:30. None attended the hospital.  
• David Lloyd Leisure - Dudley. 2010, Saturday 13 March, 13:15. None attended the hospital. 
• Virgin Active - Edinburgh. 2010, February. Four persons attended the hospital. Conviction: £20,000. 
• Drumsheugh Baths Club. 2010, Tuesday 23 February, 17:15. One attended the hospital. 

2009 - 3 incidents

• Parkwood Leisure - Handy Cross Leisure Centre. 2009, Tuesday 13 October, 12:30. Four people attended the hospital.   
• Dudley Council - Coseley Swimming Pool. 2009, Wednesday 8 April, 13:10. Thirty people attended the hospital. 
• Nuffield Health - East Cannock. 2009, Saturday 7 March. Nine people attended the hospital. Conviction: £45,000 fine, plus £14,755 costs. 

2008 - 3 incidents

• Folkstone Sports Centre Trust - Folkstone Sports Centre. 2008, Wednesday 20 August, 13:18. Two attended the hospital. 
• Home Farm Holiday Park. 2008, Friday 25 July, 10:36. None attended the hospital. 
• David Lloyd Leisure - Reading. 2008, Thursday 27 March, 06:20. Two people attended the hospital.

2007 - 5 incidents

• Southern Swimming Pool. 2007, Saturday 1 December, 10:00. None attended the hospital. 
• The Elms - Stockbridge. 2007, Thursday 4 October, 12:30. None attended the hospital.  
• Total Fitness - Prenton. 2007, Friday 22 May. Five people attended the hospital. Conviction: £15,000 fine, plus £17,000 costs.  
• Temple Moor High School. 2007, Wednesday 16 May, 09:00. Two people attended the hospital.  
• Park Resorts - Martello Beach Park. 2007, Sunday 8 April. One person attended the hospital. 

2006 - 1 incident

• Matfen Hall Hotel. 2006, Thursday 20 July. None attended the hospital. 

2004 - 2 incidents

• Brighton and Hove City Council - King Alfred Leisure Centre. 2004, Friday 1 October, 08:30. None attended the hospital. 
• McLaren Leisure Centre - Callander. 2004, Friday 17 January. Forty-one people attended the hospital. 

2002 - 1 incident

• London Borough of Lewisham - Wavelengths Leisure Centre. 2002, Wednesday 16 October, 10:23. None attended the hospital. 

2001 - 3 incidents

• Holiday Inn - Crowne Plaza, Edinburgh. 2001, Thursday 27 September. Two people attended the hospital. 
• Midlothian Council - Loanhead Leisure Centre. 2001, Saturday 15 September. None attended the hospital. 
• Time Capsule Monklands Trust - Time Capsule Leisure Centre. 2001, Thursday 16 August, 09:00. Thirty-two people attended the hospital. Conviction: £20,000. 

1999 - 1 incident

• Glasgow City Council - Scotstoun Leisure Centre. 1999, Tuesday 13 April, 18:30. None attended the hospital. 

1998 - 1 incident

• Bourne Leisure - Cala Gran Holiday Park. 1998, Wednesday 8 April. Twenty-six people attended the hospital. Conviction: £12,000 fine, plus £4,000 costs. 

Citation. Jacklin, D. 2024. Harmful emissions incidents at UK swimming pools. Water Incident Research Hub, 5 August 2022; updated 15 August.