Comparison of trihalomethanes in the air of two indoor swimming pool facilities using different type of chlorination and different types of water

Abstract

Certain aspects of the distribution of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in the air of indoor swimming pools, the exposure of the users, and possible health effects have not been well documented. To determine the distribution of trihalomethanes (THM), measurements were performed at 0.05 m, 0.60 m and 1.50 m above the water surface. These heights were chosen to measure the exposure in the breathing zone of the users. Air samples were collected from two indoor swimming pool facilities in Norway. Facility 1 uses calcium hypochlorite and facility 2 uses sodium hypochlorite for water treatment. In facility 2, one of the swimming pools is filled with 33% seawater, while the other pools in this study were filled with freshwater. Higher values were measured at 0.05 m compared to 1.50 m. Negligible differences between the measurements at 0.60 m and 1.50 m above floor levels were obtained. In average, 282% higher concentrations of total THM (tTHM) were measured in facility 2. Different disinfection products and ventilation concepts are possible explanations. Swimmers are exposed to higher concentrations compared to users by the poolside. For future studies, it is crucial to measure as close to the water surface as possible.

An analytical method for the analysis of trihalomethanes in ambient air using solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry: An application to indoor swimming pool complexes

“…Although not specifically investigated, these unusually high TCM concentrations were likely due to the fact that these pools had recently been covered by pool blankets. Compared to the other investigated pools, higher concentrations (31 to 174 µg/m 3 ) of BDCM were also reported above these three pools at this facility, with only a few other studies reporting comparable concentrations (39 to 155 µg/m 3 ) . In the air above other chlorinated pools in this study, BDCM was measured at concentrations of 3.7 to 15 µg/m 3 , which are generally similar to those reported in most other studies, up to 26 µg/m 3 (as summarized by Carter and Joll).…”

“…While significantly higher concentrations (95 and 205 µg/m 3 ) have been previously reported,12,55 DBCM concentrations measured in this study are generally similar to most other reported studies 15,31,44,47,48,56,57. TBM was detected in the air above all chlorinated pools at concentrations of 3.4 to 36 µg/m 3 , which are similar to most other studies, as summarized by Carter and Joll, 1 although two studies53,54 have reported significantly higher TBM concentrations (103 and 319 µg/m 3 ) in the air above chlorinated pools, with another study reporting TBM at concentrations up to 1910 µg/m 3 above a brominated spa 52.…”

Systematic and data-driven literature review of the energy and indoor environmental performance of swimming facilities

“…This is due to the air velocity impact on the pool evaporation rate. Since the space above the water surface is the occupant zone by definition, the traditional ventilation concept provides low ventilation efficiency and consequently relatively high values of DBP have been observed (Nitter et al, 2018). However, this design is in accordance with the present HVAC guidelines.…”

“…• Numerous disinfection by-products (Richardson et al, 2010;Weaver et al, 2009), • Occurrence and human consequences (Shaw, 1986;Benoit & Jackson, 1987;Kim et al, 2002;Righi et al, 2014;Lévesque et al, 2015;Zhang et al, 2015;Chowdhury, 2016;Nitter et al, 2018;Gabriel et al, 2019;Nitter & Svendsen, 2019a), • Formation of DBP (Jmaiff Blackstock et al, 2017;Kim et al, 2017;Fakour & Lo, 2018), • The impact of water treatment (Weng et al, 2012;Hansen et al, 2012;Weng et al, 2013;Spiliotopoulou et al, 2015;Nitter & Svendsen, 2019b), • Impact on the users and the user's uptake (Chu et al, 2013;Fernández-Luna et al, 2013;Font-Ribera et al, 2016;Hang et al, 2016;Parrat et al, 2012;Xiao et al, 2012).…”

“…The presence of DBPs in the poolroom has been linked to a variety of health issues (Liviac et al, 2010;World Health Organization, 2006;Manasfi et al, 2017). Within the DBP research area, the necessity of proper ventilation is often emphasized, but without any design specifications or suggestions (Berg et al, 2019;Dyck et al, 2011;Erdinger et al, 2004;Nitter et al, 2018). Due to the complexity of these kinds of HVAC systems and the need for specific ventilation, energy, and building physics expertise, this is not surprising.…”