H Chu1, M J Nieuwenhuijsen. 1. Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Royal School of Mines, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BP, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: For many decades chlorination has been used as a major disinfectant process for public drinking and swimming pool water in many countries. However, there has been rising concern over the possible link between disinfectant byproducts (DBPs) and adverse reproductive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to estimate the concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs) in some indoor swimming pools in London and their variation within and between pools and any correlation with other factors. METHODS: Water samples were collected from eight different indoor swimming pools in London. A total of 44 pool samples were collected and analysed for total organic content (TOC) and THMs. Water and air temperature were measured along with the pH during the collection of pool samples. The level of turbulence and the number of people in the pool at the time were also assessed. RESULTS: The geometric mean concentration for all swimming pools of TOC was 5.8 mg/l, of total THMs (TTHMs) 132.4 microg/l, and for chloroform 113.3 microg/l. There was a clear positive linear correlation between the number of people in the swimming pool and concentrations of TTHMs and chloroform (r=0.7, p<0.01), and a good correlation between concentrations of TOC and TTHMs (r=0.5, p<0.05) and water temperature and concentrations of TTHMs (r=0.5, p<0.01). There was a larger variation in THMs within pools than between pools. CONCLUSION: Relatively high concentrations of THMs were found in London's indoor swimming pools. The levels correlated with the number of people in the pool, water temperature, and TOC. The variation in concentrations of THMs was greater within pools than between pools.
OBJECTIVES: For many decades chlorination has been used as a major disinfectant process for public drinking and swimming pool water in many countries. However, there has been rising concern over the possible link between disinfectant byproducts (DBPs) and adverse reproductive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to estimate the concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs) in some indoor swimming pools in London and their variation within and between pools and any correlation with other factors. METHODS:Water samples were collected from eight different indoor swimming pools in London. A total of 44 pool samples were collected and analysed for total organic content (TOC) and THMs. Water and air temperature were measured along with the pH during the collection of pool samples. The level of turbulence and the number of people in the pool at the time were also assessed. RESULTS: The geometric mean concentration for all swimming pools of TOC was 5.8 mg/l, of total THMs (TTHMs) 132.4 microg/l, and for chloroform 113.3 microg/l. There was a clear positive linear correlation between the number of people in the swimming pool and concentrations of TTHMs and chloroform (r=0.7, p<0.01), and a good correlation between concentrations of TOC and TTHMs (r=0.5, p<0.05) and water temperature and concentrations of TTHMs (r=0.5, p<0.01). There was a larger variation in THMs within pools than between pools. CONCLUSION: Relatively high concentrations of THMs were found in London's indoor swimming pools. The levels correlated with the number of people in the pool, water temperature, and TOC. The variation in concentrations of THMs was greater within pools than between pools.
Authors: B Lévesque; P Ayotte; A LeBlanc; E Dewailly; D Prud'Homme; R Lavoie; S Allaire; P Levallois Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 1994-12 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Rhys A A Carter; Sébastien Allard; Jean-Philippe Croué; Cynthia A Joll Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2019-08-07 Impact factor: 4.223
Authors: Guglielmina Fantuzzi; Elena Righi; Guerrino Predieri; Pierluigi Giacobazzi; Katia Mastroianni; Gabriella Aggazzotti Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2010-03-29 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Susan D Richardson; David M DeMarini; Manolis Kogevinas; Pilar Fernandez; Esther Marco; Carolina Lourencetti; Clara Ballesté; Dick Heederik; Kees Meliefste; A Bruce McKague; Ricard Marcos; Laia Font-Ribera; Joan O Grimalt; Cristina M Villanueva Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Mireille B Toledano; Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen; Nicky Best; Heather Whitaker; Peter Hambly; Cornelis de Hoogh; John Fawell; Lars Jarup; Paul Elliott Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Clifford P Weisel; Susan D Richardson; Benoit Nemery; Gabriella Aggazzotti; Eugenio Baraldi; Ernest R Blatchley; Benjamin C Blount; Kai-Håkon Carlsen; Peyton A Eggleston; Fritz H Frimmel; Michael Goodman; Gilbert Gordon; Sergey A Grinshpun; Dirk Heederik; Manolis Kogevinas; Judy S LaKind; Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen; Fontaine C Piper; Syed A Sattar Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-09-30 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Cyril Catto; Simard Sabrina; Charest-Tardif Ginette; Rodriguez Manuel; Tardif Robert Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2012-07-25 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Rachel B Smith; Susan C Edwards; Nicky Best; John Wright; Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen; Mireille B Toledano Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2015-09-04 Impact factor: 9.031