Health risk from exposure to Trihalomethanes in swimming pools

Abstract

        Disinfecting swimming pool water is a process to protect swimmers against infection by microbiological pathogens and generate the various chlorine by-products that affect the health of swimmers. Especially, trihalomethanes (THMs), carcinogenic substance, generated from chemical reaction between organic matter in water and added chlorine.  Therefore, this article was to review the health risk arising from exposure to THMs in the swimming pool. The report from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) showed that the four compounds of the THMs, consisted of chloroform, bromodichlo- romethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform, are human carcinogen and caused harm to fetus of pregnant women. However, comparing the THMs concentrations detected in the swimming pool with the standard values were similar or slightly higher than the standard. The assessment of health risk from exposure to THMs in the swimming pool  found that risk of having cancer from exposure to THMs in the swimming pool was  higher than the risk standards set by USEP A. THMs can be exposure through skin and  swelling during swimming. Therefore, the approach of risk reduction from exposure to THMs in swimming pool was the change of the disinfectant, installation technology for reducing the THMs generation, reduction of precursor substances in swimming pool and  the change of swimmer behavior.