Saturday, March 04, 2000
Ramada Inn pool closed for study
Chlorine level burned children
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SHARONVILLE — The swimming pool at the Ramada Inn in Sharonville will remain closed until the Hamilton County Health Commissioner is sure the hotel can regulate the amount of chlorine in the water.
Health Commissioner Tim Ingram said the pool was closed after children who used the pool for a birthday party last weekend suffered skin and eye burns.
The Sycamore Township Fire and Emergency Service was called to the hotel about 9 p.m. and the children were taken to Good Samaritan, Bethesda North, Jewish and Children's hospitals.
“Test samples of the water showed that the pool contained 100 parts per million of chlorine,” Mr. Ingram said. He said state standards call for 1 part per million.
Sam Abdal, manager at the hotel, said there were too many people in the pool, which caused an electric pump to activate and release chlorine in the water.
He said one group did not tell them they were going to have a party, but another did.
“There were close to 30 people in the pool that we didn't know about,” Mr. Abdal said. “When there are a lot of people in the pool we usually lose water when people are getting in and out. The electric pump is geared to operate based on the number of people in the pool.”
Mr. Abdal said the pool will remain closed until they scrape and paint the bottom of the pool.
“I don't think there is anything wrong with the pump because it is only 7 months old,” he said. Betty Tanks of Walnut Hills, who was chaperoning a birthday party of 15 kids, said she has started a class-action lawsuit against the hotel.
Mrs. Tanks said they arrived at 3 p.m., and the kids were in the pool about an hour an a half.
“After they got out of the pool, they were in terrible condition,” she said. “They had splits in the corner of their eyes and their lips had begun to crack. They were crying and complaining of upset stomach.”
She said she called 911 for help and reported the incident to the health department.
Karen Wambau of Northside thinks the management is withholding information about how much chlorine got into the water.
She was giving a birthday party for her daughter, Annette, 13. She said the hotel was aware of her party.
“I had nine kids in my group. Hotel officials gave me permission to have the party at the pool,” Mrs. Wambau said.
Mrs. Wambau said when her daughter complained of eye and skin burns after being in the pool about an hour, she reported it to the hotel. She said a maintenance man checked the water and told her the chlorine level was 1.5 parts per million.
“I don't see how it could have been at that level,” she said. “My daughter is suffering from chemical burns.” She also said her daughter is getting outpatient treatment at Children's.
Lt. Jeff Newman, shift supervisor for the Sycamore Township Fire and Emergency Service, said when they were called to the hotel Saturday, they found the children suffering from eye and skin burns.
Court upholds clean-air rules
And now, what teachers hate about parents
Presidential primaries are schoolyard fights
Blue Ash Republicans rarin' to vote
Mardi-ers get merry
Mayor wants police chief fired
Firstar Bank takes Van Exel to court
Four-year districting battle over
Guard accessed porn, prosecutors charge
Hotel tax bill is hot potato
Teens solve engineering riddle
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Cammy tickets on sale
GET TO IT
Perick leads CSO in dazzling program
Chamber hears museum plan
City seeks assistant manager
Driver charged with felony after chase
Fairfield Middle School's schedule change adds flexibility
Farmers watch tax battle
Fitness center for Ky. youths will close
Jazz fest goals: Inspiration, fun
Legal Aid says $11M needed for new effort
Liberty Twp. police arrest suspect in slayings
Lighthouse honors five
Ludlow limits police spending
Monroe facing sports what-ifs
Open season on fish today
Ramada Inn pool closed for study
TRISTATE DIGEST
