title: Regulations concerning natural swimming ponds in Europe: considerations on public health issues.
abstract: Natural swimming ponds (NSPs) are a new type of recreational water facility characterized by the substitution of traditional disinfection with biodepuration. While this feature meets esthetic desires of users, specific concerns on public health issues have been raised by the scientific community and local authorities. The absence of a European directive applicable to these environments leaves each country without specific and harmonized indications. The present work describes the local/national policy situation, describing adopted parameters and monitoring activities. All documents underline the need for appropriate microbiological analysis and correct water management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Public Health Unit, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', P.zza L. De Bosis 6, Roma, Italy E-mail: vincenzo.romanospica@uniroma4.it.
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giampaoli
authors.affiliation: Département Climatologie - Aérodynamique - Pollution - Epuration, Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment, 11 rue Henri Picherit, Nantes cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garrec
authors.affiliation: Federal Office of Public Health, Division of Chemical Products, Post Box 3003 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Donzé
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Public Health Unit, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', P.zza L. De Bosis 6, Roma, Italy E-mail: vincenzo.romanospica@uniroma4.it.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Valeriani
authors.affiliation: Department für Infektiologie, Hygiene und Med. Mikrobiologie, Chemielabor, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Erdinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Public Health Unit, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', P.zza L. De Bosis 6, Roma, Italy E-mail: vincenzo.romanospica@uniroma4.it.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Romano Spica
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D061005:Ponds / Q000382:microbiology*; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011998:Recreation; D013551:Swimming Pools / Q000145:classification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*