| Summary: | Disinfection of pool water is an extremely important process that ensures the safety of its use avoiding water-borne infections caused by microbial pathogens. However, the chlorine used as disinfectant, in the presence of organic matter, may generate disinfection by-products (DBPs), including trihalomethanes (THMs), a class that includes genotoxic compounds, which are inhaled and absorbed by the skin. Previous studies have shown that exposure to these DBPs are associated with adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess DNA damage in swimming pool users exposed to THMs. To evaluate DNA damage, blood samples were collected from a group of approximately 150 swimmers in different indoor chlorinated pools located in north of Portugal. Levels of DNA strand breaks and oxidized purines (formamidopyrimidine DNA glycolase) sites were determined in lymphocytes using the comet assay. Individual exposure to THMs compounds was analysed using a predictive model; analysis included not only total THMs but also chloroform, dibromochloromethane, bromochloromethane and bromoform separately. Data obtained will increase knowledge on the potential genotoxic risks associated to THMs exposure in indoor swimming pools. Furthermore, results may be useful to perform a human health risk assessment model essential for development of risk management strategies.
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