Presence of Disinfection Byproducts in Public Swimming Pools in Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

The quality of water in swimming pools is essential to avoid risks to the health of users. Medellín has more than 1000 public swimming pools, which are supervised by the Medellín Health Authority to monitor and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The Health Authority has financed several studies related to the quality of drinking and recreational water in Medellín in order to protect consumers and users. One such study involves the evaluation of the presence of disinfection byproducts (DBP). The best known DBPs resulting from disinfection with chlorine are trihalomethanes (THMs) and halogenated acetic acids (HAAs), as well as other minorities such as chloramines or halophenols (HPs). DBPs pose a greater risk in swimming pool water because there is a greater possibility of ingestion, since exposure occurs through several routes at the same time (direct ingestion of water, inhalation of volatile or aerosol solutes, dermal contact and absorption through skin). In the present work, high concentrations of THMs and HAAs were detected in the public swimming pools selected in the study, but the presence of HPs was not detected in the pools.

Swimming pool water disinfection by-products profiles and association patterns

“…In swimming pool waters, nitrogenous DBPs have been shown to be generally more genotoxic (to Chinese hamster ovary cells) compared to most other DBPs [ 13 , 25 ], and greater toxicological effects were found to be associated with HANs than with THMs and HAAs [ 43 , 48 , 53 , 54 ]. Toxicological studies showed that HANs are more genotoxic and cytotoxic than THMs or HAAs [ 2 , 13 , 26 , 31 ].…”

NRF2-ARE signaling is responsive to haloacetonitrile-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes

“…Some unregulated DBPs are stressors with strong cytotoxicity and genotoxicity [4]. The skin as the body's largest organ is exposed to DBPs during bathing and swimming [5]. However, few investigations have focused on nitrogenous DBPs in skin, the important target organ.…”