IAQ Mission | It’s the air we’re really swimming in.

Real experiences. Real people. Improving air quality for swimmers and facilities.

- Rowdy Gaines, Olympic Swimmer

I’ve spent more time breathing pool air than swimming in the water. That’s why air quality matters to me.

3× Olympic Gold Medalist

Have you noticed how the pool air feels? Add your voice.

Let us know how pool air affects you.

IAQ Mission is a community effort to better understand how indoor pool air affects the people who use these facilities. By building a community of voices, we aim to better understand the impact of indoor air quality.

Start the Survey

A message from our IAQ Mission Ambassador

Why I Joined the IAQ Mission

Indoor pool air affects everyone who spends time at the pool. After decades on deck and in the water, I’ve seen how air quality shapes comfort, performance, and overall experience for swimmers, coaches, officials, and families. The IAQ Mission brings our community together to raise awareness and share real experiences, so we can help improve the air we all rely on.

Pool Air is as Important as Pool Water

What we breathe above the surface matters just as much as what’s below.

Every breath inside a pool facility carries more than fresh air – it can also carry humidity, chlorine byproducts, and heat. The balance of these factors determines how clean, safe, and comfortable the space feels.

Proper air management keeps swimmers and staff healthier, helps equipment last longer, and maintains the quality of the air we all share.

Optimum Natatorium Conditions:

4–6× Air Exchanges / Hour

Maintains air freshness and prevents the buildup of irritants.

50–60 % Humidity

Reduces corrosion and improves energy efficiency.

75–85 °F Temperature

Keeps comfort consistent for both swimmers and spectators.

Below 0.2 ppm Combined Chlorine

Helps avoid eye and throat irritation.

Why it Matters

Indoor air quality touches everyone differently...
but it matters to us all

For swimmers, it affects endurance and recovery.
For coaches and staff, it shapes daily comfort.
For families, friends and spectators, it defines the experience of every visit.
And for facility operators, it’s the hidden key to efficiency, health, and reputation.

See IAQ From Your Perspective

Indoor air quality impacts swimmers, coaches and staff, and facility leaders in different ways.
Choose your role and contribute your experience:

Athletes and Coaches Facility Managers and Operators Parents, Spectators, and Officials

"It's the air we're really swimming in."

Our mission is to make indoor air quality impossible to ignore.

IAQ Mission is about awareness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

The goal isn’t to criticize – it’s to inform and empower. By understanding the science behind air quality and sharing real experiences, the aquatics community can create healthier environments for everyone, from recreational swimmers to Olympic champions.

Partners & Supporters

Supported by leaders in natatorium design and dehumidification

The IAQ Mission is powered by collaboration — between engineers, athletes, and facility partners. Below, you’ll find the organizations working together to promote cleaner, safer pool environments.