Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to comprehensively investigate the association between trichloramine (TCA) exposure and respiratory health effects in swimming pool workers.
METHODS: In this study, air sampling was performed for TCA concentrations at fixed locations (static measurements) and on individual workers (personal measurements) in six indoor public swimming pools during periods of high swimmer attendance over the winter school break. Health effects were evaluated using questionnaires and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) tests performed before and after the working day.
RESULTS: In these swimming pools, the environmental TCA concentration ranged from 0.11 to 0.88 mg/m³. Worker exposure ranged from 0.05 to 0.72 mg/m³ for personal measurements. Furthermore, in each swimming pool, the average worker exposure to TCA exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit of 0.35 mg/m³. Personal TCA measurements were consistently lower than static measurements performed around the pool, with a reduction ranging from 21% to 49%. This can be explained by the time that the workers spend in the pool area, office, and break room. The most common respiratory health effects self-reported by the workers were coughing, shortness of breath, and sneezing with prevalence rates of 38%, 37%, and 35%, respectively. This study demonstrated an association between TCA exposure and eye irritation. Analysis of the FENO tests revealed that individuals with preexisting asthma or allergies exhibited sustained FENO elevation.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that occupational exposure to TCA in indoor swimming pools is a matter of concern. Implementing and improving workplace safety measures is crucial for safeguarding the respiratory health of swimming pool workers.
METHODS: In this study, air sampling was performed for TCA concentrations at fixed locations (static measurements) and on individual workers (personal measurements) in six indoor public swimming pools during periods of high swimmer attendance over the winter school break. Health effects were evaluated using questionnaires and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) tests performed before and after the working day.
RESULTS: In these swimming pools, the environmental TCA concentration ranged from 0.11 to 0.88 mg/m³. Worker exposure ranged from 0.05 to 0.72 mg/m³ for personal measurements. Furthermore, in each swimming pool, the average worker exposure to TCA exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit of 0.35 mg/m³. Personal TCA measurements were consistently lower than static measurements performed around the pool, with a reduction ranging from 21% to 49%. This can be explained by the time that the workers spend in the pool area, office, and break room. The most common respiratory health effects self-reported by the workers were coughing, shortness of breath, and sneezing with prevalence rates of 38%, 37%, and 35%, respectively. This study demonstrated an association between TCA exposure and eye irritation. Analysis of the FENO tests revealed that individuals with preexisting asthma or allergies exhibited sustained FENO elevation.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that occupational exposure to TCA in indoor swimming pools is a matter of concern. Implementing and improving workplace safety measures is crucial for safeguarding the respiratory health of swimming pool workers.
摘要：
目的：本研究的主要目的是全面调查三氯胺（TCA）暴露与游泳池工人呼吸健康影响之间的关系。
方法：在本研究中，在冬季学校休息期间，在六个室内公共游泳池中，在固定位置（静态测量）和单个工人（个人测量）进行了TCA浓度的空气采样。使用问卷调查和工作日前后进行的部分呼出气一氧化氮（FENO）测试来评估健康影响。
结果：在这些游泳池中，环境TCA浓度范围为0.11至0.88毫克/立方米。对于个人测量，工人的暴露范围为0.05至0.72mg/m3。此外，在每个游泳池里，工人对TCA的平均暴露量超过了建议的0.35mg/m3的职业暴露限值。个人TCA测量值始终低于泳池周围进行的静态测量值。减少范围从21%到49%。这可以解释为工人在泳池区度过的时间，office,和休息室。工人自我报告的最常见的呼吸道健康影响是咳嗽，呼吸急促,打喷嚏的患病率为38%，37%,35%,分别。这项研究证明了TCA暴露与眼睛刺激之间的关联。对FENO测试的分析显示，先前存在哮喘或过敏的个体表现出持续的FENO升高。
结论：研究结果表明，室内游泳池中职业暴露于TCA是一个值得关注的问题。实施和改善工作场所安全措施对于保护游泳池工人的呼吸健康至关重要。
方法：在本研究中，在冬季学校休息期间，在六个室内公共游泳池中，在固定位置（静态测量）和单个工人（个人测量）进行了TCA浓度的空气采样。使用问卷调查和工作日前后进行的部分呼出气一氧化氮（FENO）测试来评估健康影响。
结果：在这些游泳池中，环境TCA浓度范围为0.11至0.88毫克/立方米。对于个人测量，工人的暴露范围为0.05至0.72mg/m3。此外，在每个游泳池里，工人对TCA的平均暴露量超过了建议的0.35mg/m3的职业暴露限值。个人TCA测量值始终低于泳池周围进行的静态测量值。减少范围从21%到49%。这可以解释为工人在泳池区度过的时间，office,和休息室。工人自我报告的最常见的呼吸道健康影响是咳嗽，呼吸急促,打喷嚏的患病率为38%，37%,35%,分别。这项研究证明了TCA暴露与眼睛刺激之间的关联。对FENO测试的分析显示，先前存在哮喘或过敏的个体表现出持续的FENO升高。
结论：研究结果表明，室内游泳池中职业暴露于TCA是一个值得关注的问题。实施和改善工作场所安全措施对于保护游泳池工人的呼吸健康至关重要。
