Abstract
Previous studies have shown that mismanaged swimming pools could transmit water-borne diseases. The objective of the present study was the quality assessment of chemical, biological and physical characteristics of swimming pools in Shahrekord city, southwest of Iran.The two main indoor swimming pools of Shahrekord city were considered during the summer and winter of 2013. The number of 459 samples were analysed from swimming pools, showers and dressing rooms for chemical, biological and physical quality assessment. The most prevalent fungi were Aspergillus (48.91%), Penicillium (22.9%), Nocardia (11.31%), Cladosporium (8.41%). Rhizopus (6.18%), Scopulariopsis (6.21%), Fusarium (5.31%), and Mucor (1.38%). The most fungal contamination sites for both swimming pools were showers.Results showed that the values of total faecal coliform, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionalla, Escherichia coli and Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) for both swimming pools exceeded the guidelines, except for Staphylococcus aureus. The correlation coefficient between bathers load and total faecal coliform, heterotrophic bacteria was 0.949. The turbidity, free residual chlorine, and hardness of both swimming pools were not compliance with standard guidelines. Therefore, the improvement of disinfection and cleaning procedures is necessary, due to the different users and daily bather loads of each pool, as well as monitoring the water quality and increasing of the knowledge of swimming pool users on the risks of these potential diseases.
Highlights
It is obvious that the use of swimming pools and similar recreational water environment has benefits for health and well-being; People would like to practice on water-related sport activities, and swimming pools and would go to sport, recreate, be relax and be socialized (Thomas & Murray 2008; Barna & Kadar 2012)
The most important related-risks of sports or recreational activities are derived from trauma and injuries, pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and viruses may be presented in recreational waters
While microorganisms of non-faecal origin may include bacteria (Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus aureus, Legionella, Mycobacterium and Leptospira), Virus (Molluscipoxvirus, Papillomavirus and adenoviruses), Protozoa (Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp and Plasmodium), Fungi (Trichophyton and Epidermophyton floccosum), faecal- origin microorganisms could be entered the pool during cleaning process and be absorbed through skin or saliva, mucus including bacteria (Shigella and E. coli 0157), Virus (Adenoviruses, Hepatitis A, Noroviruses and Enteroviruses), Protozoa (Giardia and Cryptosporidium)
Summary
It is obvious that the use of swimming pools and similar recreational water environment has benefits for health and well-being; People would like to practice on water-related sport activities, and swimming pools and would go to sport, recreate, be relax and be socialized (Thomas & Murray 2008; Barna & Kadar 2012).various studies have reported the chemical, biological, physical contaminations in swimming pools (Liguori et al, 2007; Le Cann, Bonvallot, Glorennec, Deguen, Goeury, & Le Bot, 2011; Abd El-Salam, 2012). While microorganisms of non-faecal origin may include bacteria (Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus aureus, Legionella, Mycobacterium and Leptospira), Virus (Molluscipoxvirus, Papillomavirus and adenoviruses), Protozoa (Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp and Plasmodium), Fungi (Trichophyton and Epidermophyton floccosum), faecal- origin microorganisms could be entered the pool during cleaning process and be absorbed through skin or saliva, mucus including bacteria (Shigella and E. coli 0157), Virus (Adenoviruses, Hepatitis A, Noroviruses and Enteroviruses), Protozoa (Giardia and Cryptosporidium) They may be come from swimmers' bodies or enter into the water when a person has an (accidental) faecal release contamination of water with such microorganisms originating from the skin, hair, saliva, urine or blood as potential causes of infection. Faecal pollution of the water is the major microbiological risk of bathing in swimming pools, and www.ccsenet.org/gjhs
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