Occurrence of pharmaceuticals and UV filters in swimming pools and spas

Abstract

The occurrence of 32 pharmaceuticals and 14 UV filters in swimming pools and spas was studied. Fifty-one water samples were collected from 17 pools located in sport centres and hotels in Catalonia, Spain. The samples were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The pharmaceuticals atenolol, carbamazepine, hydrochlorothiazide, metronidazole, ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and phenazone were measured in water samples at concentrations higher than their limit of quantification (LOQ). The highest concentration of any individual pharmaceutical was measured for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (904 ng/L). The most frequently detected pharmaceutical was carbamazepine, as it was observed in more than half of all the water samples measured (53 %, 27/51). The UV filters at concentrations higher than LOQ in water samples were BP1, BP2, BP3, BP8, THB, 4DHB, 4MBC, OD-PABA, 1HBT, MeBT and DMeBT. The highest concentration of UV filter observed was 4MBC (69.3 ng/L) while the most frequent UV filters in the samples were 1HBT (59 %, 30/51). The results also showed that pharmaceuticals and UV filters were most frequently found in spas. Finally, from a water treatment technology perspective, the lowest occurrence of pharmaceuticals was in the pools applying sand filters followed by disinfection by sodium hypochlorite, while the lowest occurrence of UV filters was in the pools applying coagulation, sand filtration, UV and salt electrolysis.

Concentration profiles of Personal Care Products in swimming pools

“…This is different than the results of Ekowati's research [8], carried out in Spain. His work showed a higher concentrations of BZ-3, BZ-8 and its more frequent occurrence in outdoor than in indoor pools (Table 3) …”

“…It has also been proven that long-term exposure to some of Personal Care Products (PCPs) may cause the negative health effects [4][5][6][7]. PCPs of concern in pool water include mainly compounds capable of absorbing UV radiation, which are the main component of sunscreens [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Some of them may exhibit estrogenicity and antiandrogenicity [14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

Emerging exposures of developmental toxicants

“…Many of these chemicals occur together in products thus presenting exposure to a mixture of chemicals from their use [1]. Moreover, multiple chemicals also exist in many exposure sources, such as swimming pools (>40 chemicals including 14 UV filters) [2]. Many emerging exposures are close structural homologs of the replaced substance that were developed to reduce persistence and absorption in the body.…”

Determination of Micropollutants in Water Samples from Swimming Pool Systems

“…Caffeine-a stimulant very popular in body lotions, bath lotions, and creams-was found in swimming pools by Weng et al [9], Suppes et al [10], and Teo et al [11]. Ekowati et al [12] proved carbamazepine to be ubiquitous in swimming pools…”