The Occurrence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Swimming Pools: An Overview

Abstract

The occurrence of several disinfectant byproducts has been investigated in swimming pools. Until now, there are only a few studies on nitrosamine, particularly N-nitrosodimethylamine in swimming pool water. This could be due to the lack of a suitable method that is sensitive enough for the measurement of N-nitrosodimethylamine in pool waters. Other disinfectant byproducts formed in pool water widely documented are trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, halonitromethanes, and chloramines but inadequate information on N-nitrosodimethylamine. This paper provides a review of the nitrogenous disinfectant byproduct in swimming pools and its health implications. Anthropogenic substances introduced by swimmers such as sweat, lotions, and urine contribute to the formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine. The reaction of secondary amines such as dimethylamine with mono/dichloroamines produced dimethyl hydrazine and further undergo oxidation to form N-nitrosodimethylamine. The reaction of chlorine and other disinfectants with these anthropogenic sources in swimming pools cause cancer and asthma in human tissues. Thus, the assessment of N-nitrosodimethylamine in the swimming pool is less well documented. Therefore, the health consequences, mutagenic, and genotoxic potentials of N-nitrosodimethylamine should be the focus of more research studies.

Fatores fisiopatológicos, benefícios e recomendações na natação para asmático

“…Perhaps for this reason, researchers from the USA and Nigeria mention that strict control of water quality is important, acting on the appropriate dosages of disinfectants, number of bathers, temperature and pH of the water to avoid inducing asthma attacks (MUSTAPHA et al, 2021) .…”

“…In fact, anthropogenic substances introduced by swimmers such as sweat, saliva, lotions and urine when interacting with chlorine and other disinfectants can cause asthma (MUSTAPHA et al, 2021). Furthermore, there is still no product to treat pool water that is free of toxic by-products (KANIKOWSKA et al, 2018).…”

“…Swimming classes for asthmatic students bring physical, motor and physiological benefits to their practitioners. But, as the modality needs a physical structure, in question the swimming pool, it is recommended that there is a strict control of the quality of the water acting on the adequate dosage of disinfectants, number of bathers, temperature and pH of the water to avoid inducing asthma attacks (MUSTAPHA et al, 2021).…”

Preparation, Antimicrobial Properties under Different Light Sources, Mechanisms and Applications of TiO2: A Review

“…To reduce the adverse effects of microorganisms, disinfectants, antibiotics, and other methods are used to kill microorganisms, but there are also many problems in using these methods. Disinfectants can produce disinfection byproducts (DBPs) with high toxicity [ 8 , 9 ], leading to asthma, allergic rhinitis, and other respiratory symptoms [ 10 ] and corrosion effects [ 11 ]. The excessive use of antibiotics will produce new drug-resistant strains.…”