Nine children were taken to New York hospitals after an apparent chlorine poisoning at a hotel swimming pool.
The incident occurred on December 16 at a birthday party held at the Holiday Inn Express in Ithaca. Parents of the children have been sounding the alarm ever since, posting reviews of the hotel online detailing the experience.
Cassie McMillen, a parent whose children attended the party, said her 9-year-old son vomited for several hours. Her 9-year-old daughter spent less time in the pool, and both experienced chest pain, sore throats, burning in their eyes, and headaches. “They were in the hospital for about five hours,” McMillen said. “They had blood work, vitals and chest X-rays, and they were diagnosed with chlorine poisoning.”
Initially, she sought legal representation, but because there was no lasting impact from the incident, decided to drop it.
McMillen said other children had a similar experience, and parents grew concerned when fresh air didn’t help.
Elizabeth Cameron, Tompkins County Environmental Health Director, said they were aware that nine of the party’s 12 attendees had been affected, and the state’s Department of Health was investigating the incident. She said that the children’s symptoms had resolved three days after the incident.
The pool was closed for two weeks and reopened on January 4 after reinspection.
Cassidy Fox, the Holiday Inn Express manager, said the chlorine was “a little high” on the day of the party, but she let the event proceed. Employees tested the pool a little later, and chlorine levels had risen.
Accounts of how the party ended are conflicted.
By Fox’s account, hotel staff closed the pool after the second test “as a precaution” and the party’s organizer was given a refund.
But McMillen said that parents were already on their way to the hospital when the pool was closed and that it was a chaotic departure with the children coughing.
According to Fox, the pool has an automated system to control its chemical levels.
The hotel has since purchased a new chemical tester to ensure a similar incident doesn’t recur.
Holiday Inn Express, Ithaca, NY.
