Disinfection Byproducts Resulting from Swimming Pool Chlorination
Swimming is commonly associated as a healthy physical activity providing excellent exercise to patrons. In fact, in the United States, swimming has become the second most popular recreational activity after walking (Olsen, 2007). Swimming has become so popular due to modern advancements in the disinfection of water; public swimming pools were never so enjoyed prior to the early 1900s, however, due to thousands of people dying from waterborne illnesses (Rivera, 2009). During this time, the disinfection of water, both for drinking and swimming, became a prevalent factor in ensuring human health. This advancement in water quality was well received for most of the 20th century. The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) went on to proclaim this advancement as one of the ten greatest health advancements of the 20th century (Olsen, 2007; Rivera, 2009).
Despite the overall success related to pool water’s disinfection through chlorine use, recent studies have questioned its benefits. In 1974, scientists first discovered that the halogens used to disinfect water could combine with organic materials and form disinfection byproducts (DBPs) such as trihalomethanes (THMs), and chloroform (Olsen, 2007). Naturally, researchers quickly began to investigate the possibilities of DBPs and their effects on human health. Thus far, scientists have attempted to compile a comprehensive list of DBPs that may occur within chlorinated pool water and determine which detection methods are most accurate (Richardson et al., 2010). Another area of extensive research relates to the health effects that DBPs have on humans both from long term and short term exposure (...
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...and assessment of mutagenicity of chlorinated and brominated swimming pool water. Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(11), 1523-1530. doi:10.1289/ ehp.1001965
Rivera, S. B. (2009, November 1). Progress in pool chemistry research
understanding disinfection byproducts and combined chlorine. Water Conditioning & Purification, 10-12. Retrieved from http://www.miox.com/ applications/0911Rivera.pdf
Your disinfection team: Chlorine and pH. (2010, April 12). Retrieved March 4, 2012, from Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/pools/disinfection-team-chlorine-ph.html
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EPA. (2009, December 29). Retrieved January 15, 2011, from Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children's Health: http://www.epa.gov/teach/
Disinfection is applied in water as well as wastewater treatment as a finishing step so as to destroy pathogens but the cause of concern regarding the disinfection process is the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Natural organic matter (NOM) in water has been considered as the predominant DBP precursors. Disinfectants are powerful oxidants that oxidize the organic matter present in water forming DBPs. Chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and chloramines are the most common disinfectants used nowadays and each produces its own suite of chemical DBPs in finished drinking water (Richardson, 2003). DBPs so formed pose a threat to human health because of their potential to cause cancer and reproductive/developmental effects. Most developed nations have regulated concentration of DBPs so as to minimize exposure to potentially harmful DBPs while maintaining adequate disinfection and control of targeted
Chemical pollution into the environment can cause both genotypic and phenotypic changes in many organisms, including humans. More specifically, environmental pollutants like BPA can act as xenoestrogens (estrogen imitators), ultimately affecting hormonal activity and production in an organism. This alteration in activity and production can be termed as endocrine disruption. The endocrine system regulates a variety of processes responsible for growth and development, including gonadal formation and function, digestion, metabolism, sex differentiation, and embryonic development (reviewed by Flint et al., 2012). Chemicals that interfere with the function or structure of the endocrine system can be defined as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2007).
Three Medical Doctors wrote the book, The Water We Drink: Water Quality and Its Effects on Health. Their names are Joshua I. Barzilay, M.D., Winkler G. Weinberg, M.D., and J. William Eley, M.D. In order to put the issue of drinking water quality and its effects on health into perspective, the book is divided into three parts. It first reviews the history of water, disease, and sanitation. The next section deals with health issues. At the conclusion of the book are chapters regarding bottled water and methods of purification. The intent of the book is to educate consumers.
Comment on class result with respect to differences in filter types, differences in filter assemblies, and overall on the confidence you would have in using this type of sterilisation process in preparation of pharmaceutical products. List the factors that may cause contamination during filtration. (20 marks)
It’s no mystery that having clean water is a fundamental element to living in a prosperous society and one of the few things essential for human survival. Water not only sustains our health, but is required in making everything from electronics to clothes. Clean water may seem as ordinary as putting on your shoes, but it’s a daily party of our life that’s being threatened.
Major efforts have been taken to protect the health of humans from contaminated water during recreation, especially swimming. For many years, waters have been tested for certain types of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) – bacteria commonly found in human and animal feces. While FIB generally do not cause human disease, FIB in the water may indicate the presence of feces and associated pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and protozoans – organisms and agents which have also been found ...
“Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. RWIs can also be caused by chemicals in the water or chemicals that evaporate from the water and cause indoor air quality problems. RWIs may include a wide variety of infections, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic and wound infections. Many RWIs (skin, ear, eye, respiratory, neurologic, wound, and other infections) are caused by germs that live naturally in the environment (for example, in water and soil)” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
1999, 71, 181-215. Minear, R., Amy, G.. Water Disinfection and Natural Organic Matter: History and Overview. ACS Symposium Series -. 1996, 649, 1-9. Richardson, S. Water Analysis: Emerging Containments and Current Issues. Journal of Analytical Chemistry. 2003, 75, 2831-2857.
Oroian, Viman Oana I. "Damaging Effects of Overall Water Pollution." BioFlux (2010): 113-15. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
In recent years it has become clear that some environmental chemicals can cause risks to the developing embryo and fetus. Evaluating the developmental toxicity of environmental chemicals is now a prominent public health concern. The suspected association between TCE and congenital cardiac malformations warrants special attention because TCE is a common drinking water contaminant that is detected in water supplies throughout the U.S. and the world. There is a lot of concern about the clean up of toxic pollutants from the environment.
Have you ever had to walk miles away just to get clean drinking water, or don’t even not have access to clean drinking water? People all over the world, even in North America, don’t have access to clean drinking water or have to walk very far just to drink water. The main areas where this problem is prominent is in third world countries, and this is due to the lack of money and sanitation (Millions Lack Safe Water). Due to this lack of sanitation, water borne diseases can grow and infect people who consume it. Clean water is very important for life, and within this paper I will explain why we need it, how it can affect us, and what it will take to obtain clean water.
There are many pathways available by which pharmaceutical waste can find its way into our river, lakes, and groundwater. It has also become a growing concern because it harms the environment as a whole along with its various ecosystems. However, researchers have tried to find methods that can be implemented to eliminate this growing issue, and more tests have been done through the years to ensure a positive result in the water quality. Many scientists and researchers have been testing samples of water in rivers, surface water and wastewater plants all across the world to ensure that the pharmaceutical waste present in the water does not rise to a level at which it becomes extremely hazardous to the aquatic environment, agricultural livestock and ourselves.
Cunningham, William, and Mary Ann Cunningham. "Chapter 18: Water Pollution." Environmental Science. ; A Global Concern. 12th ed. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2011. 396-421. Print.
The consumption of contaminated water can be dangerous for health reasons and several people have passed away from these water-borne diseases. Some of these diseases include Cholera, Typhoid, Dysentery, Giardiasis, and Malaria. These unfortunate diseases are currently the cause of numerous deaths, especially in small children. The availability of clean water can prevent many problems in low-income communities. The available resources for clean water are very rare, so these water sources need to pass through a process of water sanitation in order to just be sustainable to drink, “The world’s surface is made up of approximately 80% water, which is an indestructible substance.