Air Quality at Ice Rinks

[BackinAction 0]

Interesting story and video.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/e60/news/story?id=4068448

[JohnnyCanuck 0]

Wow. That is shocking. :(

[IniNew 53]

Interesting read. I did not see anywhere on there but a link to the list of rinks they tested would be sweet. I believe they would have some legal issues posting something like that though.

[BackinAction 0]

There is a small picture in the body of the article and next to it there is a Map link that will pull up all the rinks tested and the results.

[TBLfan 25]

I've said in numerous times about the rink at TBSA, I refuse to skate there anymore because I can't breathe well at that rink. I always assumed it had something to do with the dehumidifiers.

Spreedizzle plays there currently.

[furlanitalia 1]

That is appalling but not very shocking. I wonder if there are any regulations against this in Canada? I know we have had a few problems over the past years. I can think of one rink I remember being evacuated, and I'm not sure much has been done to improve it - there's now a hole in the ceiling meaning water drips on the ice when it rains. The government needs to allocate more money to the important stuff!

[kredmore 2]

My main rink is in this story, both the write-up and the video (Binghamton, NY). On one side, rinks can certainly try to improve their air quality (resurfacers tuned up, air exchanges, pass laws, etc.) On the other, the piece was a sensationalized media story for rinks that have existed for many years. At my game last night, the rink was running just fine and the locker room chatter just kind of brushed it off.

[IniNew 53]

There is a small picture in the body of the article and next to it there is a Map link that will pull up all the rinks tested and the results.

I stand corrected.

[Jarick 5]

Minnesota, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are the only states with laws regulating air quality at indoor ice rinks.

That's comforting. Probably why I don't have any issues with the air quality at most of the rinks.

[Gummer12 134]

lol, actually had one of our Hockey Mom's call us today about this video, concerned because her precious little 'johnny' has asthma. Our rink walls are have so many holes in them, and with dumping outside and opening the outside doors all the time, plus we don't run our zam as often as others, so she has nothing to worry about. But I'm Sure there are some rinks that have poor ventilation, and where this can be a concern.

[greech 4]

I skated Norfolk Arena the day they tested it, the rink is a sh-t hole anyways.

[All Torhs Team 0]

LoL - wierd Ive played at two of the rinks in that video.

I blame my losses on the air quality.

[chippa13 1844]

Minnesota, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are the only states with laws regulating air quality at indoor ice rinks.

That's comforting. Probably why I don't have any issues with the air quality at most of the rinks.

Because noone who runs a rink cuts any corners and they all follow the letter of the law. <_<

[CaptainFantastik 0]

I just got a big email from the local rink owner about the ESPN piece assuring everyone that he's been aware of this problem for years and he goes on to list all the equipment being used to gauge and control the quality of air in his rink. He chalks it up to "bad, inexperienced, or careless rink owners". They're out there.

[Powerfibers 8]

The rink my son regularly plays at leaves you smelling like gasoline if you're out there when the Zamboni comes out. I am not surprised at this, and will pass this on.

[IniNew 53]

Minnesota, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are the only states with laws regulating air quality at indoor ice rinks.

That's comforting. Probably why I don't have any issues with the air quality at most of the rinks.

One of the rinks tested in Minnesota was way above safe values. Just because there are laws doesn't mean they follow them.

[Tikkanen 1]

Should be laws in all 50 states with so many people exercising daily in these places. I play at 5 different rinks in 2 leagues and at 1 you can smell the propane in the air when you're waiting to play. I always assumed the de-humidifiers meant clean air when I played ice hockey.

[chk hrd 164]

There is a rink in Phoenix that is terrible, the Carbon Monoxide alarm sometimes goes off after the Zam and they have to wait for the air to clear out before they start play.

[epstud74 24]

The rink my son regularly plays at leaves you smelling like gasoline if you're out there when the Zamboni comes out. I am not surprised at this, and will pass this on.

Most of the rinks I play in have electric Zambonis on hand.

[Neal 41]

Minnesota, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are the only states with laws regulating air quality at indoor ice rinks.

That's comforting. Probably why I don't have any issues with the air quality at most of the rinks.

One of the rinks tested in Minnesota was way above safe values. Just because there are laws doesn't mean they follow them.

Each of the rinks is also relatively well maintained and/or new and in a relatively well off suburb as well. I'd be even more interested in the results at Blake, Ken Yackel, Highland or Wakota.

In fact, the particulate amounts at Minnesota Made Hockey might be because construction is only recently completed there.

[epstud74 24]

Minnesota, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are the only states with laws regulating air quality at indoor ice rinks.

That's comforting. Probably why I don't have any issues with the air quality at most of the rinks.

One of the rinks tested in Minnesota was way above safe values. Just because there are laws doesn't mean they follow them.

Each of the rinks is also relatively well maintained and/or new and in a relatively well off suburb as well. I'd be even more interested in the results at Blake, Ken Yackel, Highland or Wakota.

In fact, the particulate amounts at Minnesota Made Hockey might be because construction is only recently completed there.

Highland (Charles M Schulz) and Wakota are quite well maintained as well, even though Wakota is old. Richfield is another older rink in a ghetto burb that is very well maintained. I would be interested to see the air quality in old rinks like Biff Adams in St. Paul vs rinks in wealthy suburbs like Edina HS's Braemar Arena pictured below. This is of the west rink at the arena. One of the better maintained facilities I've seen across the state.

[Gummer12 134]

We did a CO test today Right after a resurface..here's what our readings were.

In the Bleachers

Highest point: 8 parts per million (ppm)

Lowest Point: 4 ppm

North End: 9 ppm

On The Ice

Center Ice: 28 ppm

South Zam Door: 27 ppm

Oxygen levels also taken at this time were:

Center Ice: 20.9 ppm

According to the Fire Department, Danger levels for CO are 35 ppm for prolonged periods of time in the excess of 16 hours at that level.

And the O2 levels recorded are standard levels.

So needless to day, we passed with flying colors.

[wildebeest 0]

There is a rink in Phoenix that is terrible, the Carbon Monoxide alarm sometimes goes off after the Zam and they have to wait for the air to clear out before they start play.

Does the name of that rink rhyme with "starcadia"? I've been there many a time when there was a yellow fog hovering above the ice. Fun stuff!

[CTK30 0]

I've said in numerous times about the rink at TBSA, I refuse to skate there anymore because I can't breathe well at that rink. I always assumed it had something to do with the dehumidifiers.

Spreedizzle plays there currently.

Yeah, I always get a sore throat there

I think sunblades is worse though

[Spreedizzle 1]

I've said in numerous times about the rink at TBSA, I refuse to skate there anymore because I can't breathe well at that rink. I always assumed it had something to do with the dehumidifiers.

Spreedizzle plays there currently.

Yeah......so the main rink on this expose' is the one that I play at.....grreeeaaatttt!!! The rink area does have a faint amonia smell to it when you enter. Few mins and I don't even notice it. I can't say though that I have ever felt winded, or that I was having difficulty breathing. So I don't believe that it is affecting me at all. That being said however, the levels of carbon monoxide on calibrated instruments is quite alarming. The only good thing that I see coming out of this is further awareness to draft legislation (as is currently being done in Florida) to maintain proper air quality in rinks. The other positive is that I sell commercial IAQ equipment that could handle and purify the air at a rink such as TBSA. OOO....Sales Opportunity!!! ;)