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,%use ...� i i Chloroform in Alveolar Air of Individuals Attending Indoor Swimming Pools 1" GABRIELLA AGGAZZOTTI GUGLIELMINA FANTUZZI ELENA RIGHI PIERLUIGI TARTONI TERESA CASSINADRI GUERRINO PREDIERI Department of Hygiene University of Modena i! Modena, italy I I ABSTRACT. Alveolar air samples were collected from 163 subjects at indoor swimming pools and from 77 nonexposed subjects. Chloroform was present in all samples collected from exposed subjects(median = 695.02 nmol/m'). It was found at very low levels in 53% of samples from nonexposed subjects. Alveolar air chloroform levels from people attend- ing indoor swimming pools (mean value within each sampling session) were correlated with environmental air concentration (r — 0.907, p = .002). Analysis of variance showed that levels of chloroform in alveolar air depend on environmental air concentration, age, intensity of the sport activity, and kind of swimming. Chloroform levels in samples col- lected from competitive swimmers versus nonswimming visitors were different (F - ' 10.911,p = .001). Moreover, their pattern of swimming may affect chloroform concentra- tion in alveolar air. The analysis of chloroform in alveolar air assesses indoor exposure in healthy subjects simply and at low cost. i TO DATE, investigations of public health problems of fied chloroform and bromodichloromethane as class people attending swimming pools have focused mainly 2B carcinogens, which is supported with sufficient evi- on microbiological water contamination. In an effort to dente in experimental animals but inadequate epide- minimize the risk of contamination, water is usually miological evidence." The U.S. Environmental Protec- chlorinated with sodium hypochlorite or sodium di- tion Agency (EPA) has classified chloroform as a 62 car- chloroisocyanurate. Chemical reaction between chlo- cinogen, i.e., a probable human carcinogen.' } rine and organic substances in water is well document- As a volatile substance, chloroform can be released '! ed, and halogenated compounds are produced; among from water to air, where it can reach measurable levels these, trihalomethanes are the most common. Al- in indoor swimming pools. Chloroform levels in indoor though many compounds are possible, only four (chlo- swimming pool water and air have been evaluated pre- roform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochlorometh- viously. Concentration in environmental air depends ane, and bromoform) occur frequently, of which chlo- on several factors, among which (lie most important roform is always the most represented.1° The Interna- are the number of swimmers in the water and the tur- tional Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classi- bulence caused by their movement.",' 250 Archives of Environmental Heallh