Abstract

A fair number of workers are exposed to disinfection by-products (DBPs) in swimming pools, which can lead to eye, skin and respiratory irritation. According to the Lifesaving Society, there are more than 18,000 lifeguards in Québec, most ranging in age from 16 to 24.

To promote the adoption of best practices designed to reduce exposure to DBPs in swimming pools, researchers must analyze the approaches and technologies used to disinfect water in public swimming pools.

As an adjunct to an ongoing study to evaluate worker exposure to DBPs in swimming pools, this study proposes to collect data on the exposure levels associated with various water treatment systems for public pools, including procedures still little used in Québec (stripping, ultra-violet).

This exploratory study will document the effect of various treatment systems on water and air contamination by DBPs in controlled conditions in order to identify those likely to minimize exposure levels.