Abstract
Certain volatile disinfection by-products (DBPs) off-gassing from pool water can cause eye and skin irritations, respiratory problems, and even cancer. No guidelines or recommendations concerning DBPs in the air exist in Norway. Traditionally, ventilation strategies in indoor swimming pools are based on reducing condensation on the windows rather than ensuring proper air quality in the users' breathing zone.A total of 93 air samples of airborne concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs) were collected via stationary sampling. We investigated the distribution of total THM (tTHM) 0.05 m and 0.60 m above the water surface at six different locations in the poolroom and the covariation between the water and air quality parameters. Based on a linear mixed effects model, the most important determinants in terms of predicting the air concentration of CHCl3 were height above water surface, air changes of fresh air per hour, concentration of combined chlorine in the water, relative humidity (RH) and day of the week. Approximately 36% of the total variability could be attributed to these variables; hence, to reduce the average exposure in the poolroom, hazard control should focus on these variables. Based on the identified predictor variables, the supplied air should be controlled based on water quality in addition to the traditional control censors for RH and air temperature used in the ventilation system of Norwegian swimming facilities.
Highlights
Chlorine is the most used water disinfectant worldwide
ACH represents how many times the air is exchanged per hour in the poolroom, regardless of whether the air consists of fresh air, recycled air, or a mixture of the two
This value is estimated based on the valve position opening recorded in the ventilation log and information from the ventilation supplier, who were able to read off the exact fresh air supply from their logging system
Summary
Chlorine is the most used water disinfectant worldwide. In Norwegian pool facilities, chlorine is often used in combination with UVT.B. Chlorine is the most used water disinfectant worldwide. In Norwegian pool facilities, chlorine is often used in combination with UV. N600 DBPs have currently been identified in disinfected water (The European Chemicals Agency, 2017). Even though a small amount of water is ingested during swimming, dermal penetration and inhalation are considered the most important routes for exposure (Chowdhury, 2015; Erdinger et al, 2004). The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested a provisional guideline value for chlorine species, expressed as NCl3, in the ambient air of swimming facilities being limited to 0.5 mg/m3 (World Health Organization, 2006)
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