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J Environ Health Eng 2025, 13(1): 36-49 |
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Aqanaghad M, Saifloo M A. Investigation and audit of the safety, health and environmental aspects of the swimming pools in Khoy City since 2022-2024. J Environ Health Eng 2025; 13 (1) :36-49
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1089-en.html
URL: http://jehe.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1089-en.html
Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Khoy Faculty of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
Abstract: (50 Views)
Background: Swimming pools, despite supervision by health centers, can be sources of the transmission of infectious diseases due to non-expert pool operators. This research aimed to evaluate the HSE of swimming pools in Khoy City from 2022 to 2024.
Materials and Methods: We conducted this practical study on seven swimming pools in Khoy. We performed HSE assessments based on checklists and water test results from the Health Deputy of the Khoy Medical Sciences Faculty. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, due to the non-parametric nature of the data, Wilcoxon and Spearman tests were used for comparing the parameters with relevant standards.
Results: The average score of compliance of HSE parameters with relevant national health standards was 86%. Kabiry pool and mineral hot water pools had the highest and lowest compliance with the standards, respectively. Fecal coliform was absent in all pools except the mineral hot water ones. The average heterotrophic plate count was below 200 in all pools except in mineral water pools, where it exceeded 200. Microbial water quality scores ranged from 40 to 95. The average amount of free chlorine met the standard and showed a significant inverse relationship with the numbers of coliforms and HPC.
Conclusion: Due to inadequate regular purification, the water turbidity of the swimming pools exceeded the standard. Consequently, the water microbial quality was not favorable despite sufficient residual chlorine levels. This indicates that the pool attendants focused on chlorination and neglected water quality. So, we recommend that the pool staff receive proper training in pool operation.
Materials and Methods: We conducted this practical study on seven swimming pools in Khoy. We performed HSE assessments based on checklists and water test results from the Health Deputy of the Khoy Medical Sciences Faculty. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, due to the non-parametric nature of the data, Wilcoxon and Spearman tests were used for comparing the parameters with relevant standards.
Results: The average score of compliance of HSE parameters with relevant national health standards was 86%. Kabiry pool and mineral hot water pools had the highest and lowest compliance with the standards, respectively. Fecal coliform was absent in all pools except the mineral hot water ones. The average heterotrophic plate count was below 200 in all pools except in mineral water pools, where it exceeded 200. Microbial water quality scores ranged from 40 to 95. The average amount of free chlorine met the standard and showed a significant inverse relationship with the numbers of coliforms and HPC.
Conclusion: Due to inadequate regular purification, the water turbidity of the swimming pools exceeded the standard. Consequently, the water microbial quality was not favorable despite sufficient residual chlorine levels. This indicates that the pool attendants focused on chlorination and neglected water quality. So, we recommend that the pool staff receive proper training in pool operation.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/12/17 | Accepted: 2025/03/11 | Published: 2025/04/16
Received: 2024/12/17 | Accepted: 2025/03/11 | Published: 2025/04/16
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