BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A community pool in Oildale used by thousands of residents throughout the year has remained closed due to an asbestos contamination, officials say.
North of the River Parks Recreation and Parks District told 23ABC News that there was unidentified debris in their pool at the end of January.
On February 13, North of the River said lab results determined the debris was asbestos, a chemical that was commonly used in construction, which is now nearly absent.
Lisa Plank, the marketing director at North of the River, said "this finding is a complete anomaly for the N.O.R pool."
Plank added that maintenance crews monitor the pool regularly during the week and that "maintenance logs have never shown any indication of any type of abnormality with the pool."
Michelle Corson, a spokeswoman at the Kern County Public Health Department said the chemical is hazardous when it is airborne and inhaled, but not when it's underwater.
"Typically people who are swimming in the pool aren't going to be ingesting and drinking a lot of water," Chorson said. "So at this point the health risks seem to be very minimal."
Corson urges anyone feeling ill after swimming in the pool located on 401 Galaxy Avenue, to call KCPHD at 661-321-3000.
