title: Perceived health problems in swimmers according to the chemical treatment of water in swimming pools.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine which chemical treatment used for disinfecting water in indoor swimming pools had the least impact on users' perceptions of health problems, and which generated the greatest satisfaction with the quality of the water. A survey on satisfaction and perceived health problems was given to 1001 users at 20 indoor swimming pools which used different water treatment methods [chlorine, bromine, ozone, ultraviolet lamps (UV) and salt electrolysis]. The findings suggest that there is a greater probability of perceived health problems, such as eye and skin irritation, respiratory problems and skin dryness, in swimming pools treated with chlorine than in swimming pools using other chemical treatment methods. Pools treated with bromine have similar, although slightly better, results. Other factors, such as age, gender, time of day of use (morning and afternoon) and type of user (competitive and recreational), can also affect the probability of suffering health problems. For all of the above, using combined treatment methods as ozone and UV, or salt electrolysis produces a lower probability of perceived health problems and greater satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Sports Science , Universidad Europea , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Álvaro
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Fernández-Luna
authors.affiliation: b Sport Sciences Institute , Camilo José Cela University , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burillo
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Sports Science , Universidad Europea , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Felipe
authors.affiliation: c Department of Economics and Finance , University of Castilla-La Mancha , Ciudad Real , Spain.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: del Corral
authors.affiliation: d IGOID Research Group , University of Castilla-La Mancha , Toledo , Spain.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Unanue
authors.affiliation: d IGOID Research Group , University of Castilla-La Mancha , Toledo , Spain.
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallardo
mesh_terms: D002713:Chlorine; D004202:Disinfectants; D004203:Disinfection; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010126:Ozone; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013550:Swimming / Q000523:psychology*; D013551:Swimming Pools; D060753:Water Quality
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D002713:Chlorine; D010126:Ozone
keywords: Chlorine; ozone; questionnarie; swimming pools; water quality