Factors affecting the occurrence of halogenated hydrocarbon pollutants in swimming pools

Abstract

The procedure of this study was divided into two parts; (i) the primary data collection of swimming pools in Bangkok, and (ii) the study of the level of halogenated hydrocarbon pollutants with factors affacting their occurrence. Primary data were obtained by interviewing 104 swimming pool staff from every district in Bangkok by using questionnaires. Thirty-six swimming pools were selected as water sampling sites. The water samples were collected and analyzed for methylene chloride, chloroform, 1,1,1- trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene. The result showed that water quality of 91.67 % of swimming pools were out of the standard of chlorine residual set by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, whereas 69.44 % of all samples were upto the standard of pH. Chloroform was found in all samples ranging from 2-530 ppb. Carbon tetrachloride was found in fifteen samples with the concentration between 0.19-0.49 ppb. Comparison by depth, there was significantly different in the 20 cm and 60 cm depth of water samples in chloroform levels (p<0.05). The relationship between chlorine residual, pH, temperature and light intensity, with the chloroform occurrence were also studied but could not be found significantly.