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PubMedDate not supplied

[A preliminary investigation on the occurrence of protozoa in swimming pools in Italy].

In Italy controls on the hygienic quality of swimming pools are fixed by the Accordo tra il Ministero della Salute, le regioni e le province autonome di Trento e di Bolzano, come into force in 2003. In the present study swimming pools were investigated from the microbiological point of view on the basis of the new legislation. Contemporaneously, for the first time in Italy, analytical controls on the occurrence of the protozoa Cryptosporidium and Giardia were performed with both techniques of immunofluorescence and polymerase chain reaction. Results evidenced a good water quality when the bacterial parameters stated by law were considered. However in some swimming pools, the protozoa were also recovered. Factors affecting the use of molecular techniques on the analysis of environmental samples are also put into evidence.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Is there a need for state health department sanitary codes for public hydrotherapy and swimming pools?

The Board of Health of the Commonwealth of Virginia has an outdated sanitary code for its public hydrotherapy and swimming pools. The code is restricted to pools in hotels and other lodging places. The absence of modern regulations for public hydrotherapy and swimming pools has permitted serious deficiencies in pool maintenance, which are highlighted in this report. The most notable of these deficiencies was the presence of high levels of bacterial contamination that could predispose to infect in the water of one public hot tub. The results of this study indicate that the Virginia Board of Health sanitary code for pool water must be revised immediately and should include all public hydrotherapy and swimming pools. Other states and communities may want to assess their codes for swimming pools and hydrotherapy tubs to avoid deficiencies that could be detrimental to public health.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2002

Detection of Microsporidia, cryptosporidia and Giardia in swimming pools: a one-year prospective study.

In order to estimate the rate of microsporidia, cryptosporidia and giardia contamination of swimming pools, sequential samples of water were collected during a one-year period in six different swimming pools in Paris, France. Fourty-eight samples were submitted to filtrations. Eluates were examined for microsporidia using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for cryptosporidia and giardia using immunofluorescence staining. One of 48 specimens was positive for microsporidia. Using DNA sequence analysis, unknown microsporidia species were identified, which were close to an insect microsporidia Endoreticulatus schubergi. One sample was positive for cryptosporidia and none were positive for giardia. This study shows a low level of swimming pool water contamination by microsporidia, cryptosporidia or giardia, demonstrating the efficacy of cleaning filtration and disinfection procedures used in French swimming pools.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Prevalence of mycobacteria in a swimming pool environment.

A study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of non-tubercular mycobacteria in swimming pool environments. The bacteria in question were found in 88.2% of pool water samples. The most frequent species were Mycobacterium gordonae (73.5% of samples; range 1-840 cfu 100 ml - 1), M. chelonei (38.2% 2-360 cfu 100 ml - 1) and M. fortuitum (35.3% 2-250 cfu 100 ml - 1). The same species were also recovered from the water at the different phases of the treatment cycle, with relative percentages similar to those of the pool water. Shower floors and pool edges also presented high concentrations of the mycobacteria (100% of samples) and M. marinum was isolated from the surfaces of pool edges on two occasions (4.5% of samples). The swimming pool environment provides a suitable habitat for the survival and reproduction of mycobacteria. Although mycobacteria are common in swimming pools, human mycobacterial disease associated with their use is rare. Apart from superficial infections with M. marinum, the risk of more serious diseases in subjects with weakened immune systems should not be underestimated, given the widespread presence of mycobacteria that are possible opportunistic pathogens and the direct contact bathers have with the water and aerosol.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

PubMed1983

Domestic swimming pool accidents to pre-school children.

The frequency of accidents in domestic swimming pools was studied retrospectively for a sample of 1123 Christchurch children. During the period from birth to five years, a total of 94 such accidents were reported. While most were trivial and readily rectified by rapid adult intervention, we found six children who clearly might have drowned in a domestic swimming pool but for adult vigilance and a certain amount of luck. These findings underline the fact that current mortality statistics merely reflect the minority of such incidents in which either parental vigilance or luck does not operate. Children with pools on their own or neighbouring properties were two and a half times more likely to be involved in accidents involving domestic pools. We reiterate our plea for the introduction of a uniform and well enforced set of domestic swimming pool safety regulations.

Accidents, Home↗

PubMed1980

Study on the relationship between isolation of mycobacteria and classical microbiological and chemical indicators of water quality in swimming pools.

Observation of skin lesions in patients who frequent swimming pools in the dermatology section of the Nancy Hospital, coupled with isolation of Mycobacteria marinum led to a preliminary survey of 20 swimming pools in the Lorraine region for Mycobacteria. Six representative pools were then chosen for more in-depth research during 1977 and 1978: 3 chlorinated, 2 brominated and 1 ozonated pool. The following parameters were analyzed: chemical (pH, conductivity, residual disinfectant, and oxidizable matter by potassium permanganate); microbiological (standard plate counts, total and faecal coliforms, Streptococci, Clostridia, Mycobacteria, and pathogenic Staphylococci). During the survey, different species were isolated: saprophytic Mycobacteria such as M. gordonae, M. flavescens, M. terrae, M. aurum and M. parafortuitum; and opportunistic pathogens such as M. marinum, M. kansasii, and M. fortuitum. There was no correlation between the presence of Mycobacteria and classical microbiological indicators. In one pool, M. marinum was repeatedly isolated, this same pool supplied by thermal water was being used by some patients with skin granuloma. Increased chlorination eliminated this pathogenic species. The level of saprophytic Mycobacteria was very low while opportunistic Mycobacteria were absent in pools with a residual chlorine concentration of only 0.5--0.6 mg/l. The same results were found for brominated pools with a residual of 2 mg/l, and for the ozonated pool without a residual. The Mycobacteria contamination was due partly to the water which replaced eliminated water and partly to swimmers and pool surfaces (walls, floor).

Bacteria↗

PubMed1969

Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the evaluation of swimming pool chlorination and algicides.

Concentrations of ammonia and the chlorine stabilizer, cyanuric acid, which could be expected in swimming pools decreased the rate of kill by chlorine of the potential pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The effect of cyanuric acid increased as the concentration of chlorine decreased, a fact of significance from a public health view. Quaternary ammonium algcides had little effect on the kill rate of chlorine, but an organic mercury algicide had a synergistic effect with chlorine when the chlorine activity was stressed by the addition of ammonia or the use of 100 times the normal concentration of bacteria. The effect of natural waters, rain, beaches, and swimming pools on the kill rate by 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter indicated that a treatment time of 1 hr or more was required to kill 99.9% of 10(6)Pseudomonas cells per ml. The synergism of chlorine and the organic mercury algicide was also demonstrated with these waters and with sewage treatment plant effluents. The necessity of developing and using laboratory tests which simulate conditions in swimming pools with heavy loads of swimmers, as opposed to tests in chlorine demand-free conditions, is discussed. Samples taken from well-supervised swimming pools when the swimmer load had been especially high required treatment times of 1 to 3 hr to obtain 99.9% kills of the potential pathogen, P. aeruginosa, with 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter.

Ammonia↗

PubMed1986

[Transmission of Trichomonas vaginalis in swimming pools?].

Trichomonas vaginalis could not be isolated from the water of a highly frequented swimming pool of the City of Zurich. The protozoon T. vaginalis may show a slight degree of motility; even after 20 minutes exposure to the chlorinated water of a swimming pool; but it looses its infectivity within seconds after exposure to water of the swimming pool. It is not yet known how trichomonads are able to survive in the secretions of the vagina and on contaminated objects (fomites) in dressing rooms.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Enterovirus contamination of swimming pool water; correlation with bacteriological indicators.

The investigation of swimming pool water samples revealed the presence of enteroviruses (in 28.4% of the samples), as well as of coliforms, fecal streptococci, staphylococci and Candida albicans (in proportions ranging from 37.0 to 86.9% of the samples). A direct correlation could be established between the extent of viral and microbial pollution and the length of stagnation of the swimming pool water.

Candida albicans↗

PubMed1966

Factors influencing the occurrence of high numbers of iodine-resistant bacteria in iodinated swimming pools.

It has been shown that, although iodinated swimming-pool waters are usually free from coliform bacteria and enterococci, the total counts frequently become relatively high. Pseudomonas alcaligenes and Alcaligenes faecalis have been shown to account for most of these high counts. It was of interest, therefore, to compare the microbial flora of four alternately chlorinated and iodinated swimming pools. By means of the membrane filter method and suitable selective media, examinations were made for total viable counts, coliform bacteria, enterococci, staphylococci, Streptococcus salivarius, and P. aeruginosa. Colonies also were picked from membrane filters incubated on standard plate count agar and identified. The results showed that, although viable counts were significantly higher during the iodinated periods, the specific types of bacteria determined were either fewer than or the same as in chlorinated periods. During chlorination, the predominant microbial flora consisted of staphylococci and members of the genus Bacillus. During iodination, however, the P. alcaligenes-A. faecalis group accounted for 92 to 99% of the microbial flora. The accumulation of high numbers of these bacteria was shown to be due to their iodine resistance and their ability to grow rapidly in pool water in the absence of free iodine.

Alcaligenes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Occurrence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in swimming pools in the province of Palermo, Italy].

21 samples of waters of 7 swimming pools in the province of Palermo were investigated for the presence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts. Some chemio-physical parameters (chlorine, temperature, turbidity and pH) were also evaluated as well as the presence of bacterial indicators of faecal (total coliforms, Escherichia coli and enterococci), mucocutaneous and environmental (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) contamination. All samples were negative for bacterial indicators of faecal contamination; 3 were positive for the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci, 1 was positive for Alcaligenes spp. and 2 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 8 samples proved to be positive for Giardia and 6 also for Cryptosporidium. All but one of them were coming from waters of 2 swimming pools of the same recreational center. In all samples the concentration of Giardia was substantially higher than that of Cryptosporidium. This study shows that the disinfection and filtering plants are not always suitable to ensure a good level of the quality of the waters of swimming pools and suggests that should be necessary to check them also for the presence of protozoa like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, which may be responsible for gastroenteritis.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Isolation of sporothrix schenckii from the floor of an indoor swimming pool.

In a routine mycological examination of an indoor swimming pool during the winter season (January 1981) in Berlin (West), Sporothrix schenckii was isolated from the floor near a shower. The strain was characterized by cultural, morphological and biochemical properties typical of strains which are causative agents of sporotrichosis. It is suggested that in routine mycological examinations of swimming pools attention should not be limited to dermatophytes and yeast-like fungi.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Chlorine poisoning at the swimming pool revisited: anatomy of two minidisasters.

A case of acute chlorine gas exposure in a swimming pool attendant was previously reported (Clin Tox 13:377-381, 1978). In April 1986, approximately 30 people, including a swimming coach, lifeguards, and competitive swimmers ranging in age from 5 to 12 years old, were exposed to heavy concentrations of chlorine gas at a large indoor swimming pool. The coach, one lifeguard, and 18 of the children were hospitalized. In June 1988, a similar exposure occurred at the same swimming pool, and 11 persons were affected. Information from these 2 incidents illustrates 4 important factors in disaster prevention and management: proper training of equipment operators, effectiveness of triage, information flow to relatives of the afflicted, and requisite posthospitalization followup to detect possible long-term adverse effects.

Child↗

PubMed1981

[Hygienical assessment of swimming pool water covers made of plastic (author's transl)].

Swimming pool water covers made of different plastics were investigated in laboratory experiments. The possible influence on the chemical and the bacteriological water quality (test bacterium Ps. (fluorescens) was observed. Strong-PVC-plastics proved to have no respectively hardly any chemical or bacteriological influence on the water quality. PE-soft-plastics showed clearly higher chlorine consumption and TOC counts. The influence on bacterial growth was here either inhibition or of nutrient character. A direct colonisation of the plastic was not to be seen--neither in vivo nor in vitro. There are no principal objections against the use of plastics swimming pool covers from hygienical point of view. Some limitating aspects are discussed.

Chlorine↗

PubMed1967

Factors influencing the effectiveness of swimming pool bactericides.

Techniques for culturing, harvesting, and testing bacteria to evaluate bactericidal chemicals for swimming pools are described. Concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg of the chlorine stabilizer cyanuric acid per liter increased the time required for a 99% kill of Streptococcus faecalis by 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter at pH 7.4 and 20 C from less than 0.25 min without cyanuric acid to 4, 6, and 12 min, respectively. The effect of concentrations of ammonia nitrogen in the range found in swimming pools on the rate of kill of 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter and of chlorine plus cyanuric acid was tested. At concentrations of ammonia nitrogen greater than 0.05 mg per liter, faster rates of kill of S. faecalis were obtained with 100 mg of cyanuric acid per liter plus 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter than with 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter alone. When water samples from four swimming pools with low ammonia levels were used as test media, 0.5 mg of added chlorine per liter killed 99.9% of the added S. faecalis in less than 2 min, but water from a pool with a large number of children required 60 to 180 min of treatment.

Ammonia↗

PubMed1977

Are swimming pools becoming more dangerous?

The rate of childhood drowning and near-drowning accidents in home swimming pools has doubled over the last five years. A study has been undertaken to determine whether this is due simply to an absolute increase in the number of home swimming pools, or whether pools themselves are becoming intrinsically more dangerous, or both. Direct measurement of pool-house ratios has been undertaken by means of aerial photography. Supportive data have been obtained from municipal records. Pool-home ratios for the cities of Canberra and Brisbane are compared (estimated 1: 10.7, and 1:13.3 respectively). It is suggested that swimming pools are not becoming intrinsically more dangerous to children; the data suggest that effective pool legislation will prevent childhood drownings in spite of increasing trends in home pool ownership.

Accidents, Home↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Trihalomethane concentrations in swimmers' and bath attendants' blood and urine after swimming or working in indoor swimming pools.

The influence of working or swimming in indoor swimming pools on the concentrations of four trihalomethanes (haloforms) in blood and urine was investigated. Different groups (bath attendants, agonistic swimmers, normal swimmers, sampling person) were compared. The proportions of trihalomethanes in blood and urine correlated roughly with those in water and ambient air. Higher levels of physical activity were correlated with higher concentrations. Within one night after exposure in the pool the blood concentrations usually were reduced to the pre-exposure values. Secretion of trichloromethane in urine was found to be less than 10%.

Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane↗

PubMed2006

Indoor heated swimming pools: the vulnerability of some infants to develop spinal asymmetries years later.

Evidence reported in an earlier paper suggests that infants introduced to indoor heated swimming pools in the first year of life show an association with spinal asymmetries including progressive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and in normal subjects vertical spinous process asymmetry. Indoor heated swimming pools may contain a risk factor that predisposes some infants to develop such spinal asymmetries years later. What the risk factor(s) may be and its possible portal of entry into the infant's body are unknown and possibilities are examined. New teenage controls were obtained after mothers of AIS patients mentioned that they had taken their child to an infant swim class. In a further group of 18 normal teenagers introduced to an indoor heated swimming pool in the first year of life, 15 had vertical spinous process asymmetry. This prevalence of 83% of those at risk confirms our previous observation of vertical spinous process asymmetry in 61% of teenagers who were introduced to indoor heated swimming pools in the first year of life. Subject to confirmation of our observations consideration should be given to chemical risk factors, possible portals of entry, toxicology, environmental epigenomics and disease susceptibility to altered spinal development. If the risk factor is confirmed there may ultimately be a place for the prevention of AIS in some subjects.

Adult↗