MANAGEMENT
Although evidence is lacking, there is consensus on the recommendation
to assure that water treatment processes prevent CBPs formation in order
to minimize the chance of an increased risk of cancer from its long-term
exposure. Current standards for the assessment of THM exposure are
mostly defined for the THM content in swimming-pool water, although THM
are quite volatile and likely to be present in appreciable
concentrations also in the air of indoor swimming-pool facilities.
Though it has been progressively acknowledged that airborne THM levels
have a central role in inducing CBP-related adverse health effects,
there are presently no standards or guidelines for controlling THM
levels in indoor air of swimming-pool amenities. There is currently no
international standard for the treatment of swimming-pools, with
different regulations often provided by state or local governing bodies.
Inhalation of airborne THM and other CBPs seems to be the predominant
route of exposure for competitive swimmers, who have an increased
breathing rate throughout their regular and prolonged sports and
training actions and for coaches and other pool workers and staff, who
experience an intense occupational exposure to the THM-rich environment
that surrounds the pool. In fact, data on the real long-term exposure to
CBPs and the risks that this exposure may represent for the health of
competitive swimmers and coaches over the course of their careers is
currently lacking. Nevertheless, a few easy and effective steps that all
can take to maintain water and air quality are presented as a checklist
in table 5 .