CWA Local 3181 president Rick Poulette represents about 60 lifeguards in Palm Beach County, and ever since the red tide first popped up he's been pushing the county to protect the guards.
"They gave them a mask but the mask they gave them was a dust mask they really don't do anything," the union president said.
Now, he says, newer and more effective masks are being given to the guards to filter out the airborne irritants that he says have left some lifeguards with sore throats and persistent coughs.
Inside one guard station, we got to see the new masks which feature a filter on the front.
"A mask that would actually resolve the issue of the particles coming through. A better fit. A mask that is actually fitted to the face of the employee," Poulette said.
At this point wearing the masks is voluntary.
Palm Beach County tourism officials say the situation was discussed Thursday, especially the image of lifeguards wearing masks at the beach, and trying to promote other attractions until the red tide goes away.
"To show all the other things you can do and it just gives that visitor a sense that well you know I'm not going to decide not to go," said Glenn Jergensen with the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council.
The hope is the red tide will be gone before the height of the tourist season. The lifeguard union's president says he just hopes the county keeps those new masks handy if the red tide ever returns.
