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Drowning in Disinfection Byproducts? Swimming Pool Water Quality
Citation:
Zwiener, C., S. D. RICHARDSON, D. M. DEMARINI, T. Grummt, T. Glauner, AND F. Frimmel. Drowning in Disinfection Byproducts? Swimming Pool Water Quality. Water: Journal of the Australian Water Association. Australian Water Association, Wentworth Falls, Australia, 34(7):25-27, (2007).
Impact/Purpose:
This research is important to determine what chemical DBPs people are actually exposed to through their drinking water or may be exposed to due to a shift to alternative disinfection technologies, and to understand how they are formed so that they can potentially be minimized.
Description:
Disinfection is mandatory for swimming pools, because transmission of disease by bacteria, virus and protozoa is the most significant health issue. However another issue arises, and care should be taken to minimize the risks from disinfection by-products (DBPs). Public pools are usually disinfected by gaseous chlorine or sodium hypochlorite; home pools typically use stabilized chlorine. The use of chlorine produces a variety of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), such as trihalomethanes (THMs), which have been detected in the blood and breath of swimmers and of nonswimmers at indoor pools. Also produced are halogenated acetic acids (HAAs) and haloketones, which irritate the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes; trichloramine, which is linked with swimming pool-associated asthma; and halogenated derivatives of UV sun screens, some of which show endocrine effects. Precursors of DBPs include human body substances, chemicals used in cosmetics and sun screens, and natural organic matter. A 1.6- 2.0-fold increased risk for bladder cancer has been associated with swimming or showering/bathing with chlorinated water. Bladder cancer risk from THM exposure (all routes combined) was greatest among those with the GSTT1-1gene. DBPs may be reduced by engineering and behavioral means, such as applying new oxidation and filtration methods, reducing bromide and iodide in the source water, increasing air circulation in indoor pools and assuring the cleanliness of swimmers. The positive health effects gained by swimming can be increased by reducing all potential adverse health risks.