Investigation of Air Quality Problems in an Indoor Swimming Pool: A Case Study

Trichloramine (NCl3) is the contaminant suspected the most to cause irritative respiratory symptoms among swimmers and swimming pool workers. Following complaints by employees working in an indoor swimming pool, this study set out to identify the determinants of NCl3 air concentrations in that parti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Annals of occupational hygiene 2015-10, Vol.59 (8), p.1085-1089
Main Authors: Lévesque, Benoit, Vézina, Lorraine, Gauvin, Denis, Leroux, Patrice
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants - analysis
Air Pollution, Indoor - adverse effects
Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis
Chlorides - adverse effects
Chlorides - analysis
Disinfectants - analysis
Humans
Nitrogen Compounds - adverse effects
Nitrogen Compounds - analysis
Occupational Exposure - analysis
Swimming Pools
Ventilation - methods
Water Quality
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Summary:Trichloramine (NCl3) is the contaminant suspected the most to cause irritative respiratory symptoms among swimmers and swimming pool workers. Following complaints by employees working in an indoor swimming pool, this study set out to identify the determinants of NCl3 air concentrations in that particular swimming pool. To document NCl3 air levels, air samples (n = 26) were collected once or twice a day for 3 h, at least 3 days per week, between October and December 2011. Water samples were taken three times during air sampling to verify free chlorine, chloramines, alkalinity, conductivity, pH, water temperature, and turbidity. Water changes were also recorded, along with the number of bathers. Ventilation (outdoor air flow) was modified to verify the influence of this important variable. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance. Mean NCl3 air concentration was 0.38 mg m(-3). The best model explaining variations of NCl3 air levels (r2 = 0.83) included sampling period (P = 0.002, NCl3 was higher in the evening versus the morning), water changes (P = 0.02, NCl3 was lower with water changes between 60 and 90 min day(-1) versus
ISSN:0003-4878
1475-3162
DOI:10.1093/annhyg/mev038