Swimming Pool Users Research Articles

Sharia Swimming Pool: A Practice and the Factors that Affect Consumers

The swimming pool is a part of tourism, entertainment, and sports activities. The development of halal tourism demands swimming pool facilities that can better meet Sharia principles that benefit Muslim consumers. This study aims to reveal Sharia swimming pool management practices and explore why its customers choose Sharia swimming pools over conventional swimming pools. This research was conducted to reveal the halal lifestyle that has penetrated halal tourism, including swimming pools based on Sharia principles. This study uses a phenomenological approach to reveal the phenomenon of swimming pool practices and factors that affect its customers. This study interviewed 15 people with characteristics of high-intensity Sharia swimming pool use. It revealed that Islamic pool management practices include rules for members to enter, swimwear, facilities, and services provided. This study explores the factors influencing Islamic pool consumers by grouping them internally and externally. Internal factors impacting Sharia swimming pool users include comfort, halal lifestyle, and health. At the same time, the support of facilities, encouragement from others, and unpleasant experiences in public or traditional swimming pools are part of external factors. This study is expected to become a reference for Sharia swimming pool management practices and evidence of the findings of factors that encourage consumers to choose Sharia swimming pools.

Awareness of people using municipal swimming pools about the prevention, symptoms, and treatment of athlete's foot and onychomycosis before COVID-19.

Superficial mycosis is one of the most common diseases worldwide; however, its epidemiology is changing over time. To present the awareness of people using swimming pools about athlete's foot and onychomycosis. A total of 690 participants were subjected to an extensive survey administered via Google Documents. The questionnaire consisted of 30 online polling items and aimed to evaluate respondents' knowledge pertaining to fungal infections, encompassing aspects such as prevention strategies, disease trajectory, and therapeutic modalities. The survey sample specifically encompassed students and sports enthusiasts associated with 33 Internet groups, and data collection transpired during the period spanning 12 January to 15 March, 2018, predating the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the study, 85.2% of participants regularly inspected their feet, with 4.8% seeking podiatric services. While 75.2% demonstrated hygienic behaviour by changing towels after each pool visit, 41.4% acknowledged sharing nail tools. Notably, 75.7% preferred professional assistance for symptoms, with 24.3% opting for home remedies. Gender disparities were evident, with women showing significantly better hygiene practices and pool usage than men (p < 0.001). Women also exhibited a stronger tendency to disinfect grooming tools and prioritise sterility during beautician services (p < 0.001). These findings emphasise the importance of gender-specific health behaviour analysis in promoting preventive measures. The study highlights onychomycosis as a significant societal concern. Pre-COVID-19, awareness among municipal swimming pool users regarding prevention, symptoms, and treatment of athlete's foot and onychomycosis was insufficient.

Rainwater Quality Analysis for Its Potential Recovery: A Case Study on Its Usage for Swimming Pools in Poland

This paper describes the possibility of using rainwater for filling artificial swimming pools in Poland. The overall purpose of this study is to understand whether the quality of rainwater collected from roofs would be suitable for use in the swimming pools without any additional treatment. The rainwater samples were collected from five areas in the Silesian region and analysed for a number of physico-chemical parameters. The results show that the content of nitrates met Polish standards, whereas the standards set for pH and turbidity would only be met after the water had undergone the treatment process which takes place in every swimming pool installation. The paper further compares rainwater data from this study with the corresponding data for drinking water and groundwater. It shows that the content of ammonia, some metals (Ni, Cr and Mn) and a semimetal are in line with the parameters used for drinking water and are a lot lower compared to those set for groundwater. However, the results indicated some possible consequences which might be harmful for swimming pool users. These include the adverse effects of zinc and other organic micropollutants which are classified as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). These may form dangerous byproducts in the presence of the chlorine, the use of which is required by the standards to be applied for swimming pool disinfection purposes.

Energy-Saving Scenarios of an Existing Swimming Pool with the Use of Simple In Situ Measurement

Swimming is a good form of physical activity that keeps swimmers fit and healthy. In countries with cold climates, swimming is allowed only indoors. Since adequate water and air parameters must be ensured in these buildings, they are very energy-consuming. In new buildings, modern solutions can be used, thanks to which technologically advanced energy-saving systems can be used. Unfortunately, in existing buildings, it is not always possible to make technical changes, or they are associated with high financial expenses. In this article, a method of in situ measurement of selected air parameters is proposed, on the basis of which it is possible to suggest scenarios for changes in the control of air technology and parameters in order to achieve energy savings. The easy measurement method was applied in a typical swimming pool building, and energy-saving measurements were taken on the first day to obtain a baseline. Seven scenarios were analyzed that would lead to a reduction in energy consumption without the introduction of new elements into the facility. The main task was to find a solution that ensured adequate thermal comfort in the building. Significant energy savings were achieved in each scenario: 6–47% compared to measured energy consumption. To improve the energy efficiency of swimming pools, especially in the current energy crisis related to the economic and political situation, all methods for reducing the energy demand are desirable. The proposed assessment method will allow for energy-consuming elements and allow for changes in the use of equipment in the swimming pool building. However, the main objective is to maintain the thermal comfort of swimming pool users, as no savings can be achieved at the expense of worsening the feeling of building users.

Can fish scales be a potential source of pathogenic microorganisms for human health

Abstract: Resistance of fish to diseases in natural conditions is much higher than in artificial breeding conditions. The appearance of pathogenic bacterial flora in fish in combination with dangerous parasites is the result of a biocenotic imbalance. One of the factors causing fish diseases are abiotic factors. Human interference in fish farming (e.g. feeding, fertilizing, aeration) sometimes also disturbs this balance. Decaying food and plant debris promote putrefactive processes and the creation of favorable conditions for pathogenic microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and also specific protozoa that threaten fish health and often lead to their sleep. Being in the natural environment, fish carry diseases between themselves and other organisms living in the aquatic environment, such as snails, crayfish, etc. Catching from natural conditions to artificial conditions for culinary and demonstration purposes (domestic aquariums or in zoos) can cause many dangerous zoonoses for humans. The review of the work discusses the main fish diseases induced by bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens found on fish scales that can cause zoonotic diseases in humans. Therefore, their knowledge of the scales, their color, shape and stiffness may indicate specific fish diseases caused by the pathogenic microorganisms described in this paper. The most frequently mentioned pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacterial agents isolated from fish include: mycobacteria (Mycobacterium spp.), streptococci (Streptococcus iniae), vibrio vulnificus (Vibrio spp.), Aeromonas spp., Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium botulinum and many more. Careless aquarists who do not follow certain hygiene rules may become victims of opportunistic bacteria. The aim of the article is to present the current state of knowledge regarding fish diseases and their health implications for humans. Typically, ichthyosis infections are most common among aquarists and swimming pool users. Knowledge about human infections caused by fish scales is insufficient, diagnostic procedures are late and often ineffective, and therapy is long and difficult. Tropical fish placed on the market in an aquarium should have a certificate that they are free from mycobacteria and other potential diseases that threaten human health and life. Therefore, this study clarifies these issues

Health-related behaviors and associated factors among swimming pool users in Kombolcha Town, Northeastern Ethiopia.

Unhealthy behaviors during swimming exposes at risk of recreational water-associated diseases. The swimming pool users are the high-risk group for getting and transmitting the diseases. Thus, conducting a study on swimming pool users' health-related behaviors is crucial to prevent the transmission of recreational water-associated diseases. This cross-sectional study was employed among 140 randomly selected swimming pool users from April 1st to 30th, 2021 in Kombolcha Town. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and an on-the-spot-observational checklist. The collected data were entered to EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for data cleaning and analysis. Determinants of health-related behaviors were identified by using a multivariable logistic regression model at a p-value < 0.05. The overall good health-related behavior among swimming pool users was 41.4% (95% CI: 33.6-49.3). Out of the total 140 swimming pool users, 55% (95% CI: 46.4-62.9) had good knowledge about health risks during swimming. Good knowledge about health risks during swimming (AOR = 9.64; 95% CI: 3.14-29.61), educational status of college or above (AOR = 6.52; 95% CI: 1.76-24.10) and age being > 28 years (AOR = 6.49; 95% CI: 2.34-18) were factors significantly associated with good health-related behaviors. The finding of the study showed that the majority of the swimming pool users had poor health-related behaviors. Thus, Kombolcha Town Health Bureau and swimming pool managers should give attention to this population to enhance health-related behaviors through addressing the significant predictors.

Identification of Potential Harmful Transformation Products of Selected Micropollutants in Outdoor and Indoor Swimming Pool Water.

This paper presents the estimation of micropollutant decomposition effectiveness and the identification of transformation intermediates formed during selected processes used in the treatment of swimming pool water. Tests were carried out under both indoor and outdoor conditions to simulate the removal of contaminants in different types of pool water basins. Model swimming pool water spiked with caffeine, carbamazepine, bisphenol A and oxadiazon were subjected to chlorination, ozonation, UV radiation, and artificial and sun lightening, carried out as single or combined processes. It was noted that organic micropollutants decompose faster during exposure to natural sunlight than artificial lighting. Caffeine and carbamazepine belong to compounds that are resistant to single ozone or light decomposition. Bisphenol A was completely removed by the action of the chlorination agent NaOCl. The highest compound removal degrees were noted for the integrated action of natural sunlight, NaOCl and O3. This process allows also for the decomposition of all caffeine and oxadiazon decomposition by-products that potentially are toxic to swimming pool users.

Temporal and spatial variations in the levels of prominent airborne disinfection by-products at four indoor swimming pools

Exposure to airborne disinfection by-products, especially trichloramine and trichloromethane, may cause various adverse health effects for the workers and users of indoor swimming pools. This study aims to evaluate the spatial and temporal variations in trichloramine and trichloromethane concentrations within and between swimming pools. Workplace measurements were carried out at four indoor swimming pools in Quebec (Canada) during the cold season. To fully represent daily operating conditions, sampling started 2 hr before the swimming pool opened and continued until 2 hr after closing. To quantify trichloramine and trichloromethane concentrations, 304 air samples have been collected. Temperature, humidity, and CO2 were measured—simultaneously every 2 hr. The results showed that both trichloramine and trichloromethane concentrations varied significantly in time. The observed daily variations in trichloramine and trichloromethane concentrations suggest that the common practice of collecting a single 2-hr air sample does not represent daily pool trichloramine and trichloromethane contamination levels and, consequently, does not represent the true exposure and health risks for workers that are present for a full 8-hr shift. This study recommends a new 8-hr sampling strategy or a full-shift strategy using a cassette with three impregnated filters as a valid and cost-effective solution for comparing time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations to permissible trichloramine exposure limits.

Revisiting the Gage–Bidwell Law of Dilution in Relation to the Effectiveness of Swimming Pool Filtration and the Risk to Swimming Pool Users from Cryptosporidium

The transfer of water from a swimming pool to the treatment location is key in determining the effectiveness of water treatment by filtration in removing turbidity and managing the risk from particulate material, including microbial pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium spp. A key recommendation for pool operators when dealing with an accidental faecal release (the likely main source of high Cryptosporidium oocyst concentrations in pools) is that the pool water should be filtered for at least six turnover cycles prior to use. This paper briefly outlines the theoretical basis of what has become known as the Gage–Bidwell Law of Dilution, which provides a basis for this recommendation, and extends the idea to account for the impact of filter efficiency. The Gage–Bidwell Law reveals that for each pool turnover 63% of the water resident in the pool at the start of the turnover period will have been recirculated. Building on this, we demonstrate that both filter efficiency and water-turnover time are important in determining filtration effectiveness and can be combined through a single parameter we term ‘particle-turnover’. We consider the implications of the Gage–Bidwell Law (as referred to in the original 1926 paper) for the dynamics of the ‘dirt’ content of pool water, whether in terms of a specific particle size range (e.g., Cryptosporidium oocysts) or turbidity.

Preventing and controlling Cryptosporidium spp. in aquatic facilities: environmental health practitioners’ experiences in Victoria, Australia

ObjectiveTo identify barriers and enablers to preventing and controlling Cryptosporidium spp. in aquatic facilities as perceived by environmental health practitioners (EHPs). MethodsA qualitative, constructivist study with a purposive sample of seven EHPs from Victoria, Australia, was conducted. A focus group discussion was guided by a semi‐structured interview schedule using open‐ended questions. The audio‐recorded focus group was transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. ResultsFive themes represented the perceived barriers and enablers: i) pool water testing methods; ii) resources and training for EHPs; iii) knowledge and behaviour of aquatic facility operators and swimming pool users; iv) regulation; and v) aquatic facility and swimming pool design. Two key barriers within these themes included aquatic facility regulation and unhealthy swimming behaviours. ConclusionsSeveral barriers and enablers to preventing and controlling Cryptosporidium spp. in aquatic facilities were perceived by EHPs. Suggestions to overcome perceived barriers were also identified. Further research is required to determine the impact of these findings on the incidence of cryptosporidiosis associated with aquatic facilities. Implications for public healthThe findings contribute to a greater understanding of the barriers and enablers to Cryptosporidium spp. prevention and control in aquatic facilities, which may improve the effectiveness of current prevention and control strategies.

Health Risk Assessment of Swimming Pool Users from the Effects of Legionella Spp. Contamination of Water

Health Risk Assessment of Swimming Pool Users from the Effects of Legionella Spp. Contamination of Water

A cross-sectional study on health related behaviors among swimming pool users and sanitary conditions of swimming pools in Hubballi city

Background: With evolving and advancing civilization, man-made water recreational environments such as swimming pools, not only offer health promotions and social benefits but are also accompanied with health risks. It is necessary to properly manage and consistently monitor swimming pool to make sure about water treatment methods and health, to protect health of the users. This study aimed to assess the health related behaviours in swimming pool users and to study sanitary condition of swimming pool.Methods: A cross-sectional study done in Hubballi city among swimming pool users. A semi-structured pre-tested self-administered questionnaire applied to 200 participants of 3 swimming pools. Data collected regarding socio-demographic details, swimming pool regulations, health related events and health benefits and sanitary conditions of swimming pool.Results: Among 200 participants, 65% were males and 35% were females. 78.5% of the participants had knowledge about swimming pool regulation. 68% had unhealthy habits in swimming pool, among these 62% had at least one reported symptom. 73% of males had unhealthy habits and 57% had at least one reported symptom (p&lt;0.05 significant). As the experience in swimming increases, unhealthy habits decreases (p&lt;0.05 significant) and symptoms will be decreased (p&lt;0.05 significant).Conclusions: In our study majority of the participants had unhealthy habits and knowledge about swimming pool regulations. All swimming pools were chlorinated and pH was maintained within WHO recommended guidelines.

Disinfection By-Products in Swimming Pool Water and Possibilities of Limiting Their Impact on Health of Swimmers

The presence of water disinfection by-products (DBPs) in the pool environment is a threat to the health of the users of swimming pools. Due to the mechanism of DBP formation, we are not able to prevent their presence. However, there are several ways to prevent the harmful effects of DBPs on the health of pool users; among these, various kinds of methods that result in the reduction of combined chlorine and DBPs precursors should be mentioned. And last but not least, a new approach to the design of the ventilation system for indoor swimming pools seems to be crucial for the above-mentioned purpose.

Influence of Pool Detergents on Formation of Chloramines in Swimming Pool Water

Cleaning agents used in swimming pools are essential elements in maintaining the proper hygiene of a swimming pool facility. They can also pollute water and cause a potential health hazard for swimming pool users. Studies show that the combination of substances used for disinfection with some contaminations presented in pool water can cause the formation of many dangerous by-products. One of these is chloramines, which have carcinogenic and mutagenic properties; this is why an analysis of the factors that influence their formation is very important. The purpose of this article is to determine the effect of pool detergents used on swimming pools on the formation of chloramines in pool water. Samples of swimming pool water were treated with selected detergents (Benamin AKR, Benamin SND, Randklar A, and Randklar S) used in one of Krakow’s public swimming pools and then tested for monochloramine, dichloramine, and trichloride. The results may be helpful in taking the steps to mitigate the negative effects of using cleaning agents.

Large-scale disinfection of real swimming pool water by electro-oxidation

Swimming pool users are a source of various contaminants and microorganisms. Conventional chlorine-based reagents treatment is commonly used to disinfect water. However, this disinfection treatment has serious serious health issues such as formation of carcinogenic by-products, i.e., trihalomethanes. In order to prevent this problem, an electrochemical disinfection process was carried out using synthetic and real swimming pool waters. The performance of the electrochemical system was evaluated by studying the effect of current intensity (0.5–3.0 A), treatment time, type of anode (Nb/BDD and Ti/Pt) and the initial concentration of pathogens Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa. Results show that real swimming pool water, initially containing 106 CFU/100 mL of pathogens, was disinfected at current intensities of 1.5 and 3.0 A using, respectively, Nb/BDD and Ti/Pt as anode materials (CFU: colony-forming units, BDD: boron-doped diamond). This work is also one of the few showing the up-scaling of electrochemical disinfection of real swimming pool water at large volumes of 100 L.

KUALITAS BIOLOGIS AIR KOLAM RENANG UMUM DI KOTA TANGERANG

Various studies have shown that swimming pool mismanagement could serve as medium for water-borne diseases transmission. The research aimed to assess the biological quality of public swimming pool water in Tangerang city. One public swimming pool at the center of Tangerang city was assessed during November – December 2016 by adding two parameters to routine bacteriological indicators assessed by Tangerang city Heath Official in publicfacilities. Nine samples taken from three points in the swimming pool at three time periods, i.e. before, after, and during operational hours were analysed in the laboratory for detection and quantificaton of bacteriological indicators of swimming pool water, i.e. coliform, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results showed that the number of total coliform and Escherichia coliof the public swimming pool exceeded WHO guidelines but not Peudomonas and Staphylococcus. Therefore,the disinfection, cleaning, and monitoring procedures need to be improved as well as increasing public swimming pool users education about the risk of potential transmissible diseases in public swimming pool.

Health-Related Behaviors in Swimming Pool Users: Influence of Knowledge of Regulations and Awareness of Health Risks.

Background: Swimming pool attendance exposes users to infection and chemical risks that could be largely reduced with the adoption of healthy behaviors. This study aims to investigate if the knowledge of swimming pool regulations and awareness of health risks can be associated with users’ health-related behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires to collect data from two different target groups of swimming users: 184 adults and 184 children/adolescents. The association between specific variables and patterns of behaviors and knowledge was assessed through multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Although more than 80% of both groups declared they knew the regulations, compliance with healthy behaviors was often unsatisfactory, especially in adolescents and youth. In the children/adolescents group, healthy behaviors significantly increased with the frequency of attendance per week. In both groups, compliance increased with educational level (of parents for children/adolescents), while no positive association was observed between viewing the regulations and adopting appropriate behaviors. In the adult group, a higher knowledge/awareness of health risks was related to decreased odds of at least one unhealthy behavior. Conclusions: Guaranteeing the public display of regulations in swimming facilities is not sufficient to promote and change health-related behaviors. Much more attention should be given to educational interventions aimed to increase knowledge of health risks and the awareness that bathers are directly responsible for their own well-being.

Degradation Products of Benzophenone-3 in Chlorinated Seawater Swimming Pools.

Oxybenzone (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenone, benzophenone-3) is one of the UV filters commonly found in sunscreens. Its presence in swimming pools and its reactivity with chlorine has already been demonstrated but never in seawater swimming pools. In these pools, chlorine added for disinfection results in the formation of bromine, due to the high levels of bromide in seawater, and leads to the formation of brominated disinfection byproducts, known to be more toxic than chlorinated ones. Therefore, it seems important to determine the transformation products of oxybenzone in chlorinated seawater swimming pools; especially that users of seawater swimming pools may apply sunscreens and other personal-care products containing oxybenzone before going to pools. This leads to the introduction of oxybenzone to pools, where it reacts with bromine. For this purpose, the reactivity of oxybenzone has been examined as a function of chlorine dose and temperature in artificial seawater to assess its potential to produce trihalomethanes and to determine the byproducts generated following chlorination. Increasing doses of chlorine and increasing temperatures enhanced the formation of bromoform. Experiments carried out with excess doses of chlorine resulted in the degradation of oxybenzone and allowed the determination of the degradation mechanisms leading to the formation of bromoform. In total, ten transformation products were identified, based on which the transformation pathway was proposed.

Comparison of chemical, biological and physical quality assessment of indoor swimming pools in Shahrekord City, Iran in 2013.

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.

Environmentally Friendly Behavior in Greek Leisure Centers and Different Participants’ Characteristics

The aim of the present study was to investigate the environmentally friendly behaviour of people that participate in leisure and recreational activities. In particular to investigate changes in environmental friendly attitudes due to i) different demographic characteristics and ii) different preferences for participation at leisure or recreational activities. Even, to test the predictive ability of the particular environmental variables towards participants’ ‘word of mouth communication’ (WOM) for eco-friendly leisure centers. Three hundred and seventy seven individuals (scuba divers N=81, swimming pool users N=124 and beach swimmers N=172) completed the following scales: a) ‘eco-friendly policy’, b) ‘disposition to eco-friendly behavior’, c) ‘centers compliance to eco-friendly services’, and ‘WOM for eco-friendly leisure centers’. The reliability of the scales were tested successfully (Cronbach’s α= .78 < .89). Generally the results of the study supported that female, older in age and higher educated participants reported higher scores in all variables. Moreover statistical significant differences were revealed on ‘eco-friendly policy’ scale (p< .001), as scuba-diver and beach swimmer subgroups succeeded significantly higher scores than the swimming pool users. Relevant results appeared for the ‘centers compliance to eco-friendly services’ variable (p< .01), as scuba-diver subgroup scored significantly higher than the other subgroups. Finally all the three environmentally friendly scales (policy β=.20, compliance β=.26 and disposition β=.41) predicted statistically significant the ‘WOM for eco-friendly leisure centers’ (p<.001). The managerial and marketing implications of these results are extensively discussed.