Predicting health risk from exposure to trihalomethanes in an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool among elite swimmers and coaches

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Gouveia, P (Author) Other; Felgueiras, F (Author) Other; Mourão, Z (Author) Other; Fernandes, EDO (Author) Other; Moreira, André (Author) FMUP; Gabriel, MF (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health - Part A

ISSN: 1528-7394

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 14 Citations

Scopus - 15 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Health sciences

FOS: Medical and Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-TC3

DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2019.1634383

Abstract (EN): Disinfection by-products (DBP) such as trihalomethanes (THM) are formed when chlorine and bromine interact with natural organic materials in chlorine-treated swimming pools. Epidemiological evidence demonstrated an association between exposure to swimming pool environment and adverse health effects. Therefore, this study aimed to assess carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of long-term exposure of elite swimmers and their coaches. In an Olympic-size indoor chlorinated swimming pool, THM levels were determined in water (21¿69 µg/L), in the boundary layer above the water surface (59¿397 µg/m3), and in the air surrounding the pool (28¿390 µg/m3). These values were used to predict multi-pathway chronic daily intake (CDI), cancer risk (CR) and hazard index (HI). Oral and dermal CDI for swimmers were 2.4 × 10¿6 and 2.0 × 10¿8, respectively. The swimmers¿ inhalation CDI (1.9 × 10¿3 mg/kg/day) was estimated to be sixfold higher than levels obtained for coaches (3.3 × 10¿4 mg/kg/day). According to guidelines, the HI was acceptable, but CR exceeded the recommended limit for both, coaches (CR: 5.5 × 10¿7¿8.5 × 10¿5; HI: 6.5 × 10¿4¿1 × 10¿1) and swimmers (CR: 1.4 × 10¿5¿3.6 × 10¿4 HI: 1.6 × 10¿2¿4.3 × 10¿1). Our findings provide further support to the need to develop comprehensive guidelines to safeguard the health of individuals involved in elite swimming. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific