Swimming pool chlorination: a health hazard?

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Swimming pools utilize chlorine for disinfection, which can produce disinfection byproducts like chloroform.
• Long-term exposure to disinfection byproducts may pose health risks.
• Competitive swimmers may have higher exposure due to increased frequency and duration of pool use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential health effects of long-term exposure to chlorination products in swimming pools.
• To compare exposure markers and health indicators between indoor and outdoor pool swimmers.
• To assess potential liver and kidney damage in competitive swimmers.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study involving competitive swimmers using indoor and outdoor pools.
• Blood samples analyzed for chloroform levels.
• Serum enzyme levels (SGOT, SGPT, gamma-GT) measured to assess liver function.
• Urine samples analyzed for beta-2-microglobulin to assess kidney damage.

Main Results:

• Chloroform was detected in the blood of indoor pool swimmers (mean = 0.89 microgram/l) but not in outdoor pool swimmers.
• No significant differences in liver enzyme levels (SGOT, SGPT, gamma-GT) were observed between groups.
• Urinary beta-2-microglobulin was significantly elevated in indoor pool swimmers, who were also slightly younger.
• The elevated beta-2-microglobulin suggests potential renal effects.

Conclusions:

• Indoor pool swimmers exhibit detectable levels of chloroform, indicating exposure to chlorination products.
• While liver function appears unaffected, elevated urinary beta-2-microglobulin in indoor swimmers warrants further investigation for potential kidney effects.
• The interplay between age and chloroform exposure requires further study to understand the observed renal marker elevation.