Disinfection of public pools and management of fecal accidents.The association between the use of swimming pools and disease has been well documented in literature (1). A variety of illnesses ranging from minor and self-limiting to life-threatening has been reported as a result of using improperly maintained swimming pools, spa pools, and hot tubs. Reported illnesses which have increased over the past few decades can most likely be attributed to improved reporting techniques and to the increased popularity of spa pools and hot tubs. One of the most important factors in preventing outbreaks of illnesses at pools is adequate disinfection disinfection, n the process of destroying pathogenic organisms or rendering them inert. disinfection, full oral cavity, n a procedure used to reduce active periodontal disease, usually completed within a certain short time frame. . Proper filtration and chemically balanced water are also essential in maintaining a healthful health·ful adj. 1. Conducive to good health; salutary. 2. Healthy. health ful·ness n. pool. All three factors
work together to control the proliferation of pathogens and prevent
disease. Disinfectants oxidize oxidize /ox·i·dize/ (ok´si-diz) to cause to combine with oxygen or to remove hydrogen. ox·i·dize v. 1. To combine with oxygen; change into an oxide. 2. organic matter and inactivate in·ac·ti·vate v. 1. To render nonfunctional. 2. To make quiescent. in·ac ti·va pathogens.
Filtration removes both organic and inorganic matter from pool water
eliminating materials in which pathogens can be sheltered from
disinfectants. Filtration also aids in decreasing disinfectant demand,
thereby reducing the possibility of disinfectant depletion during heavy
pool use and making disinfection more cost effective. Proper levels of
pH, alkalinity al·ka·lin·i·tyn. The alkali concentration or alkaline quality of a substance that contains alkali. alkalinity 1. the quality of being alkaline. 2. , calcium hardness, total dissolved solids Total dissolved solids (often abbreviated TDS) is an expression for the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances contained in a liquid which are present in a molecular, ionized or micro-granular (colloidal sol) suspended form. , and cyanuric acid are essential to assure adequate disinfection, bather comfort, and prevention of corrosion or scaling of equipment. Chlorine is the agent most commonly used to disinfect To remove the virus code that has attached itself to a legitimate file. Sometimes, the antivirus program cannot untangle the code, and the infected file has to be deleted. See quarantine. pools (2). All types of chlorine disinfectants dissociate dis·so·ci·ate v. dis·so·ci·at·ed, dis·so·ci·at·ing, dis·so·ci·ates v.tr. 1. To remove from association; separate: when added to water to produce hypochlorous acid hypochlorous acid /hy·po·chlo·rous ac·id/ (-klor´us) an unstable compound with disinfectant and bleaching action. hy·po·chlo·rous acid n. as well as other by-products (3). Hypochlorous acid, or "free chlorine," is what effectively oxidizes organic matter and destroys bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and protozoa. The percentage of hypochlorous acid in solution is directly dependent upon the pH and temperature of pool water. Therefore, it is essential that the pH of the pool water be maintained between 7.2 and 7.8. Of equal importance in providing proper disinfection is controlling the buildup of chloramines. Over time, hypochlorite hypochlorite /hy·po·chlo·rite/ (-klor´it) any salt of hypochlorous acid; used as a medicinal agent with disinfectant action, particularly as a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite. ions combine with nitrogen and ammonia products deposited by pool users to form chloramines. Chloramines are weak disinfectants and contribute to eye burning, mucous membrane irritation mucous membrane irritation, n 1. inflammation and pain of the mucous membranes. Often caused by ingestion or inhalation of mold, dust, or chemical vapors. 2. side effect of some essential oils that contain higher phenol or aldehyde levels. , and objectionable chlorine odors. Chloramines can be eliminated by superchlorination of the pool. Superchlorination or breakpoint The location in a program used to temporarily halt the program for testing and debugging. Lines of code in a source program are marked for breakpoints. When those instructions are about to be executed, the program stops, allowing the programmer to examine the status of the program chlorination chlorination Public health Addition of chlorinated compounds to drinking water as disinfectants. Cf Ozonation. can be achieved by adding additional chlorine to the pool until there is an abrupt decrease in chloramines and an increase in free chlorine residual. There has been a great deal of controversy as to what level free chlorine residuals should be maintained in pool water to promote bather comfort and at the same time ensure adequate disinfection. Chlorine residual is commonly measured in parts per million parts per million mg/kg or ml/l; see ppm. (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L). Several decades ago, before the discovery of chlorine-resistant organisms and prior to the popular use of spa pools and hot tubs, free chlorine residuals were generally kept below 1.0 mg/L in pool water. A second method by which disinfectant activity can be measured is by the oxidation-reduction potential oxidation-reduction potential measure of the capacity of an element or compound, usually contained in half-cells consisting of electron donor and its conjugate electron acceptor, to donate electrons in aqueous medium. (ORP ORP Oxidation-Reduction Potential ORP Office of River Protection ORP Optional Retirement Program ORP Open Runtime Platform ORP Objective Rally Point (Army) ORP Office of Radiation Programs (US EPA) ). ORP is measured by an ORP probe and readings are expressed in millivolts (mV). A reading of 650 mV or greater indicates satisfactory disinfectant activity. A major advantage of using an ORP reading is that it indicates the actual level of disinfection taking place and takes into account pH, water temperature, chloramines, and other factors. Increased use of spa pools and hot tubs and the discovery of more resistant strains of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa have led to recommendations of higher levels of disinfectant (4.5). In spa pools, elevated water temperature, turbulent water, and heavy bather load lead to the rapid depletion of disinfectants. Of the three, bather load is the most significant factor in the depletion of disinfectant. Fifty people using a 1,000-gallon spa pool at a health club during the course of a day would be the equivalent of 5,000 people using a 100,000-gallon swimming pool. Bather loads of this size require constant monitoring of disinfectant levels and the use of automatic chlorinators and pH/ORP controllers to assure a steady supply of disinfectant to the pool. The hardiness of an organism when exposed to a specific disinfectant can be quantitatively expressed by the formula CT, where C is the concentration in mg/L of the disinfectant and T is the time in minutes of exposure (6). This value typically represents the concentration of a particular disinfectant and the time required to inactivate 99.9% of the organisms. Depending on the organism and disinfectant, this can vary from low to high levels of disinfectant for short to long periods of exposure time. One of the most frequently isolated organisms found most often in spa pools, is Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pseudomonas aeruginosa A normal soil inhabitant and human saprophyte that may contaminate various solutions in a hospital, causing opportunistic infection in weakened Pts Clinical Infective endocarditis in IVDAs, RTIs, UTIs, bacteremia, meningitis, 'malignant' (7). These hardy thermophilic ther·mo·phil·ic adj. Requiring high temperatures for normal development, as certain bacteria. bacteria are encapsulated with a slimy coating that makes them more resistant to disinfectants. P. aeruginosa is most often responsible for outbreaks of folliculitis Folliculitis Definition Folliculitis is inflammation or infection of one or more hair follicles (openings in the skin that enclose hair). Description Folliculitis can affect both women and men at any age. and skin dermatitis but can also cause otitis otitis Inflammation of the ear. Otitis externa is dermatitis, usually bacterial, of the auditory canal and sometimes the external ear. It can cause a foul discharge, pain, fever, and sporadic deafness. , pneumonia, and urinary tract infections (8,9,10,11,12,13). Symptoms of folliculitis usually last about seven days and include malaise, fatigue, fever, and a papulopustular rash. The onset of the illness is usually within two days to two weeks following exposure, and most cases are self-limiting requiring little or no medical treatment. The amount of time spent in the contaminated water is an important factor in determining whether or not a person will become ill (14). Most outbreaks can be traced to lack of proper disinfection, inadequate filtration, and/or lack of proper pool maintenance and cleaning practices (8,9,11,12,13). Many outbreaks have been associated with spa pools at health clubs, hotels, and motels (9,10,11,12,13). Undoubtedly, a large number of cases go unrecognized. Although testing has shown that P. aeruginosa is susceptible to low concentrations of free chlorine, it has been recovered from spas containing free chlorine residuals of 2 mg/L or greater (7). Exact numbers at which these organisms need to be present to cause illness is not known. It appears, however, that a level of 2 mg/L of free chlorine prevents the proliferation of the bacteria. Outbreaks in the past suggest that relatively large numbers of P. aeruginosa are needed to cause illness, and there have been few, if any, outbreaks observed at pools with adequate disinfectant levels (7,9). Another group of bacteria that are commonly found in swimming and spa pools are Staphylococci. These bacteria originate from the pool user's skin and oral and nasal tracts. The coagulase coagulase /co·ag·u·lase/ (-las) an antigenic substance of bacterial origin, produced by staphylococci, which may be causally related to thrombus formation. co·ag·u·lase n. positive varieties, e.g. Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus au·re·us n. A bacterium that causes furunculosis, pyemia, osteomyelitis, suppuration of wounds, and food poisoning. Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus pyogenes , can cause serious skin infections as well as conjunctivitis conjunctivitis (kənjəngtəvī`təs), inflammation or infection of the mucosal membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the eyelid, usually acute, caused by a virus or, less often, by a bacillus, an allergic reaction, or an , otitis, and upper respiratory and urinary tract infections (15). Relatively low levels of free chlorine ([less than]1.0 mg/L) are adequate to inactivate the bacteria in a short time (15). In 1994, an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease was reported, but superchlorination and proper cleaning of filter devices successfully ended the outbreak. A Vermont study in 1983 indicated that Legionella pneumophila was isolated from three out of seven whirlpool spas located at local inns (17). In 1982, 14 out of 23 Michigan church group members became ill with flu-like symptoms after using a spa pool (18). The illness was identified as Pontiac Fever, a milder form of Legionnaires' disease. Legionella Legionella /Le·gion·el·la/ (le?jah-nel´ah) a genus of gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (family Legionellaceae), normal inhabitants of lakes, streams, and moist soil; they have often been isolated from cooling-tower water, , which have been identified as causing Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac Fever, were isolated from the spa water. Legionella can be found in both raw and treated water. These bacteria are thermophilic and can survive temperatures up to 50 [degrees] C. Legionella may often be found in the plumbing systems of hospitals with no apparent cases of Legionnaires' disease, indicating that some strains are more virulent than others. The United States Environmental Protection Agency "EPA" redirects here. For other uses see EPA (disambiguation) and Environmental Protection Agency. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or sometimes USEPA (EPA EPA eicosapentaenoic acid. EPA abbr. eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, n.pr See acid, eicosapentaenoic. EPA, n. ) recommends free chlorine residuals of 8 mg/L to control Legionella in hot water plumbing systems. The EPA also reports that in some cases, a level of 1.5-2.0 mg/L is sufficient to control the organism (19). Shigellosis Shigellosis Definition Shigellosis is an infection of the intestinal tract by a group of bacteria called Shigella. The bacteria is named in honor of Shiga, a Japanese researcher, who discovered the organism in 1897. is an acute bacterial illness involving the large intestine and is characterized by diarrhea, fever, nausea, and sometimes, vomiting, cramps, and toxemia toxemia (tŏksē`mēə), disease state caused by the presence in the blood of bacterial toxins or other harmful substances. The effects of the bacterial toxins known as endotoxins are relatively uniform, regardless of which bacterial . It is caused by bacteria of the genus Shigella. The illness is usually self-limiting, and lasts four to seven days. Mild and asymptomatic infections do occur. An outbreak of Shigellosis occurred at a recreational swim area in Los Angeles County in 1985 (20). The swim area was limited to a small section (150 x 700 ft.) of an artificially constructed sand bottom lake measuring approximately 70 acres. The water for the lake was supplied by a deep underground well that was used to replace water lost through evaporation and drainage. Bather loads during weekends were typically high and the swim area lacked any appreciable circulation. The recreational swim area had a chlorination system in place at the time of the outbreak, but it was not in use. Within one week following exposure at the recreational site, 68 persons had onset of diarrheal illness, including seven persons who required hospitalization. It was theorized that the outbreak was caused by direct bather contamination of the swim area which was caused by heavy bather load, inadequate restroom facilities, poor water exchange, and the absence of disinfection. Since the occurrence of the outbreak, the swim area has been chlorinated chlorinated /chlo·ri·nat·ed/ (klor´i-nat?ed) treated or charged with chlorine. chlorinated charged with chlorine. chlorinated acids some, e.g. during periods of heavy use and no further outbreaks of illness have been reported. In the setting of a swimming pool with continuous filtration and chlorination, Shigella shigella Any of the rod-shaped bacteria that make up the genus Shigella, which are normal inhabitants of the human intestinal tract and can cause dysentery, or shigellosis. Shigellae are gram-negative (see gram stain), non-spore-forming, stationary bacteria. S. are quite susceptible to low levels of chlorine disinfectants and can be inactivated inactivated rendered inactive; the activity is destroyed. inactivated viruses treated so that they are no longer able to produce evidence of growth or damaging effect on tissue. at levels less than 1.0 mg/L. A variety of viruses have been implicated im·pli·cate tr.v. im·pli·cat·ed, im·pli·cat·ing, im·pli·cates 1. To involve or connect intimately or incriminatingly: evidence that implicates others in the plot. 2. in disease outbreaks at public pools including adenovirus adenovirus Any of a group of spheroidal viruses, made up of DNA wrapped in a protein coat, that cause sore throat and fever in humans, hepatitis in dogs, and several diseases in fowl, mice, cattle, pigs, and monkeys. , enterovirus enterovirus /en·tero·vi·rus/ (en´ter-o-vi?rus) any virus of the genus Enterovirus. enterovi´ral Enterovirus /En·tero·vi·rus/ (en´ter-o-vi?rus , and Hepatitis A virus Noun 1. hepatitis A virus - the virus causing hepatitis A enterovirus - any of a group of picornaviruses that infect the gastrointestinal tract and can spread to other areas (especially the nervous system) . Adenovirus type 4 was identified as causing an outbreak of pharyngoconjunctival fever at a swimming pool in Georgia and a summer camp in North Carolina (21,22). Pharyngoconjunctival fever is characterized by fever, conjunctivitis, sore throat, headache, and chills. A major factor in both outbreaks was inadequate chlorination. Laboratory tests have shown that low levels of free chlorine (0.2 mg/L) are effective in inactivating adenovirus type 3 and type 4 (21). In a 1981 study, municipal and wading pools in the Houston area were tested for viruses (23). Viruses, including enterovirus, echovirus echovirus /echo·vi·rus/ (ek´o-vi?rus) an enterovirus isolated from humans, separable into many serotypes, certain of which are associated with human disease, especially aseptic meningitis. , coxsackievirus Coxsackievirus A large subgroup of the genus Enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae. The coxsackieviruses produce various human illnesses, including aseptic meningitis, herpangina, pleurodynia, and encephalomyocarditis of newborn infants. , adenovirus, and poliovirus poliovirus /po·lio·vi·rus/ (pol´-e-o-vi?rus) the causative agent of poliomyelitis, separable, on the basis of specificity of neutralizing antibody, into three serotypes designated types 1, 2, and 3. , were isolated in 10 out of 14 samples. Two of the pools that contained enterovirus had free chlorine residuals that exceeded 0.4 mg/L. The study suggested that viruses were generally more resistant to chlorine than coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria are commonly used as indicator organisms to determine water quality. The study concluded that a higher free chlorine residual should be considered for public pools. In 1989, an outbreak of Hepatitis A associated with swimming pool use occurred at a Louisiana campground (24). Twenty people became ill approximately one month after swimming in one of the campground's swimming pools. It was theorized that hot weather and heavy bather loads depleted the free chlorine residual in the swimming pools. It is speculated that the pools were contaminated by either fecal contamination from one of the pool users or by sewage from a cross-connection. The former is more likely since several people reported that children wearing diapers were allowed to swim in the pools, and the campground management reported that fecal accidents resulting in fecal contamination were not uncommon. Depending on pH, Hepatitis A virus is inactivated at CT values between 10 and 15 (3). Of great concern in the last decade have been outbreaks of illness caused by species of Giardia Giardia /Gi·ar·dia/ (je-ahr´de-ah) a genus of flagellate protozoa parasitic in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals, which may cause giardiasis; G. lam´blia (G. intestina´lis) is the species found in humans. and Cryptosporidium cryptosporidium (krĭp'tōspərĭd`ēəm), genus of protozoans having at least four species; they are waterborne parasites that cause the disease cryptosporidiosis. . Both organisms are protozoans and are transmitted from person-to-person through oral-fecal route. Giardiasis giardiasis (jēärdī`əsĭs, järdī`əsĭs), infection of the small intestine by a protozoan, Giardia lamblia. Giardia, which was named after Alfred M. is caused by several species of Giardia that infect the upper portion of the small intestine. While frequently asymptomatic, it may cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, and weight loss. The prevalence of stool samples that test positive for Giardia in the general population may range from 1% to 30% (25). The disease is spread by ingestion ingestion /in·ges·tion/ (-chun) the taking of food, drugs, etc., into the body by mouth. in·ges·tion n. 1. The act of taking food and drink into the body by the mouth. 2. of cysts from the feces of infected individuals. An outbreak of Giardiasis occurred at a public swimming pool in New Jersey in fall 1985 (26). The source of the contamination was most likely a handicapped child who had a fecal accident in the pool. Records indicated that no chlorine reading had been taken on the day of the contamination, and the following day the chlorine level was zero. Giardia cysts are somewhat resistant to chlorine, especially at colder water temperatures ([less than]10 [degrees] C), At temperatures normally maintained in pools ([greater than]20 [degrees] C), inactivation inactivation /in·ac·ti·va·tion/ (in-ak?ti-va´shun) the destruction of biological activity, as of a virus, by the action of heat or other agent. of Giardia cysts occurs at free chlorine concentrations of 1.5 mg/L for 10 minutes or a CT value of 15 (26,27). Cryptosporidiosis Cryptosporidiosis Definition Cryptosporidiosis refers to infection by the sporeforming protozoan known as Cryptosporidia. Protozoa are a group of parasites that infect the human intestine, and include the better known Giardia. is primarily a disease of animals and has not been recognized as a human disease since 1976 (28). The illness is characterized by prolonged diarrhea, abdominal cramps, malaise, and fever. Cryptosporidiosis is usually a self-limiting illness but can be life-threatening to immunocompromised immunocompromised /im·mu·no·com·pro·mised/ (-kom´pro-mizd) having the immune response attenuated by administration of immunosuppressive drugs, by irradiation, by malnutrition, or by certain disease processes (e.g., cancer). individuals, such as persons with AIDS or persons receiving chemotherapy. In developed areas such as the United States or Europe, prevalence of infection with Cryptosporidium is found to be between 2.2% and 4.5% (25,28,29,30,31,32,33). In underdeveloped countries the prevalence is between 3% and 20%. There is usually a significantly higher prevalence in children than in adults. Asymptomatic infections in children are common, and Cryptosporidium can be excreted in stools for up to two weeks after resolution of diarrhea (29,30). Since most states do not routinely report cases of Cryptosporidiosis to health officials and many health professionals do not include Cryptosporidiosis in the differential diagnosis of patients with diarrhea, many cases undoubtedly go unrecognized. Infectivity is high, with as little as 10 oocysts causing illness (34). A single fecal accident in even a large pool is sufficient to cause illness in a great number of people (35,36). It has been estimated that 1 ml of feces can contain as much as 5 x [10.sup.7] oocysts (34). If we assume that a child has a loose bowel movement of 150 ml into a 100,000-gallon swimming pool, this would result in a concentration of 20 oocysts/mll of pool water {(5 x [10.sup.7])[center dot](15)/(1 x [10.sup.5])[center dot](29.5) [center dot](128)}. If we further assume that a swimmer swallows 10 ml of water, he or she would ingest 200 oocysts, a dose capable of causing infection. In 1988, an outbreak in Los Angeles County involved 60 cases of Cryptosporidiosis resulting from individuals swimming in a 100,000-gallon swimming pool in which there was a single fecal accident (35). The overall attack rate was 73%. The illness was observed in several separate groups of people with no common link other than using the swimming pool. Length of exposure and immersing the head under water were risk factors in contracting the disease. In a second outbreak reported in British Columbia, 66 clinical and 23 confirmed cases of Cryptosporidiosis were shown to have resulted from swimming in a 70,000-gallon swimming pool (36). The children's pool was closed when it was found to be the probable source of infection. The pool in question had experienced an increase in the number of fecal accidents from the usual one or two per month to one or two per week, with three known diarrheal episodes. A third outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis occurred at a swimming pool in Dane County, Wisconsin Dane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 426,526. Its county seat is Madison6. The United States Census Bureau's Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Dane County (as well as neighboring Iowa and , in 1993 (37). A fourth outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis occurred at a wave pool in Lane County, Oregon Lane County is a county in the U.S. state of Oregon. In 2000, its population was 322,959. It is named in honor of Joseph Lane, Oregon's first territorial governor. The seat of the county is Eugene. , in 1992 (38). A fifth outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis occurred at a swimming pool in Great Britain in 1988 (39). It has been demonstrated that rapid and high rate sand filters cannot be relied on to effectively remove oocysts. While diatomaceous earth filters can remove oocysts, it generally takes at least three turnovers of pool water to eliminate 95% of the pollutants (40,41). Cryptosporidium oocysts are extremely resistant to chlorine, and it has been reported that a CT value of 9,600 is required to inactivate them (28). Another study indicated that exposure of oocysts to 80 mg/L of free chlorine at 25 [degrees] C for 90 minutes produced a 99% inactivation rate resulting in a CT value of 7,200 (6). Many illnesses, some very serious, can be transmitted through improperly maintained swimming pools and spa pools. With the exception of Cryptosporidium, current information indicates that most pathogens in pool water can be inactivated or at least controlled with a minimum free chlorine residual of 2.0 mg/L or an ORP of 650 mV. It is apparent that chlorine levels, needed to rapidly deactivate de·ac·ti·vate tr.v. de·ac·ti·vat·ed, de·ac·ti·vat·ing, de·ac·ti·vates 1. To render inactive or ineffective. 2. To inhibit, block, or disrupt the action of (an enzyme or other biological agent). 3. Cryptosporidium oocysts, cannot be maintained while bathers are using the pool. Consequently, it is difficult to decide what course of action to take when feces contaminates a pool. Fecal accidents occur rather frequently at public pools, and given the many variables involved, it is often difficult to determine the extent of the threat to public health. The size of the pool, the type of filtration system, whether or not the individual who contaminated the pool is infected, how much fecal material was released, and whether it dissolved in the water are all factors to consider in deciding on whether to close a pool and how long to keep it closed. Closing a large municipal pool or water theme park pool every time there is an incidence of fecal contamination can be extremely disruptive and the risk of leaving the pool open must be weighed against the threat to public health. The following guidelines can be used to reduce the potential for transmission of waterborne diseases at public pools. The recommended disinfectant levels here are for chlorine. Free chlorine levels are recommended with the assumption that all other chemical parameters are at their proper levels. An ORP measurement can be used to confirm disinfectant efficacy. Other disinfectants may be used provided they afford the same effectiveness as chlorine. Supplemental disinfectants may be used in conjunction with chlorine, e.g., ozone is excellent at inactivating Cryptosporidium oocysts (CT of 4.1 mg[center dot]min/liter) (42). 1) All persons maintaining or operating public pools should be properly trained. A good example of a training program is the Certified Pool/Spa Operator training offered by the National Swimming Pool Foundation. Personnel should keep up-to-date with new technologies and developments in pool care. 2) The recirculation Noun 1. recirculation - circulation again circulation - the spread or transmission of something (as news or money) to a wider group or area and filtration system should be maintained to provide maximum filtration at all times. Gauges and flowmeters should be frequently monitored and filters promptly cleaned when required. Backwash water and filtering media should be disposed to a sanitary sewer or in another approved manner. 3) Pool water should always be kept in chemical balance. The pH should be maintained between 7.2 and 7.8, the alkalinity between 80 and 150 ppm, and calcium hardness between 200 and 400 ppm. Stabilizer stabilizer: see airplane. or cyanuric acid, if used, should be kept at or below 40 ppm. Free chlorine residual and pH should be tested at least twice daily, and in heavily used pools, hourly. A log should be kept of all chemical tests and maintenance procedures performed. 4) The free chlorine residual in swimming pools should be continually maintained at a minimum of 2.0 mg/L, and in spa and wading pools at 3.0 mg/L. ORP levels should be maintained at or above 650 mV. 5) All pools using chlorine as a disinfectant should be superchlorinated when combined chlorine levels exceed 0.5 mg/L. Chlorine levels should be increased to 10 times the combined chlorine level to achieve breakpoint chlorination. This should be done while the pool is not in use. 6) Instructors, lifeguards, and the general public should not use the pool if they are suffering from a diarrheal type illness or other communicable disease. Diaper-age children or children who are not toilet-trained should be prohibited from using the pool. As an alternative to excluding non-toilet-trained children from using the pool, special "swimsuit diapers" may be used, although their effectiveness is questionable. 7) In the event of fecal contamination, the following procedures should be performed: a. All pool users should be instructed to exit the pool, and the pool should be closed. b. As much fecal material as possible should be removed from the pool. If the pool is vacuumed, waste should be directed to a sanitary sewer or other approved waste disposal system and not through the filtration system. The vacuum equipment should be cleaned and disinfected Disinfected Decreased the number of microorganisms on or in an object. Mentioned in: Isolation before reuse. c. The free chlorine residual should be raised to 20.0 mg/L, and the pH adjusted to between 7.2 and 7.5. This chlorine level should be maintained for at least nine hours. This is equivalent to an approximate CT value of 10,000. A higher or lower chlorine residual can be used, provided a CT value of 10,000 is achieved. d. The filtration system should be operated for a minimum of three to four turnovers. At public swimming pools, the turnover rate, or the amount of time it takes to filter all of the water in the pool, is usually six to eight hours; therefore, three turnovers can be achieved within 24 hours. In general, filters are more effective when they are slightly dirty. If the filter is not in need of backwashing at the time of the fecal accident, do not backwash the filter. e. After three to four turnovers, thoroughly backwash the filter. f. If the pool is a low volume pool, such as a spa pool or wading pool, drain the pool at this point. g. Disinfect the filter tank and filter media with a 20:1 solution of sodium hypochlorite (20 parts water to 1 part 12% sodium hypochlorite). h. Restart the filtration system. Neutralize any excessively high chlorine residual with sodium thiosulfate. Balance the water if necessary and reopen the pool. References 1. Herwaldt, B.L., et al. (1991), "Waterborne-Disease Outbreaks, 1989-1990," MMWR MMWR Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report Epidemiology A news bulletin published by the CDC, which provides epidemiologic data–eg, statistics on the incidence of AIDS, rabies, rubella, STDs and other communicable diseases, causes of mortality–eg, , 40(SS-3):1-13. 2. National Spa and Pool Institute (1989), Basic Pool and Spa Technology, Alexandria, Va., pp.263-275. 3. Washington State Public Health Assoc. (1981), Swimming Pool Operation: A Manual for Operators, Seattle, Wash., pp.7, 86-93. 4. National Spa and Pool Institute (1991), American National Standard (standard) American National Standard - (ANS) A common prefix for ANSI documents or standards, e.g.: "ANS Forth", or "American National Standard X3.215-1994". for Public Swimming Pools, Alexandria, Va. p. 49. 5. Mitchell, P.K. (1988), The Proper Management of Pool and Spa Water, Hydrotech Chemical Corp., Marietta, Ga. p. 21. 6. Korich, D.G., et al. (1991), "Effects of Ozone, Chlorine Dioxide, Chlorine, and Monochloramine on Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts Viability," Appl Environ Microbiol, 56(5):1423-1428. 7. Highsmith, A.K., et al. (1985), "Characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Whirlpools and Bathers," Infection Control, 6(1):407-412. 8. "An Outbreak of Pseudomonas Pseudomonas A genus of gram-negative, nonsporeforming, rod-shaped bacteria. Motile species possess polar flagella. They are strictly aerobic, but some members do respire anaerobically in the presence of nitrate. Folliculitis Associated with a Waterslide-Utah, "(1983), MMWR, 32(32):426-427. 9. Khabbaz, R.H., et al. (1983), "Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Serotype serotype /se·ro·type/ (ser´o-tip) the type of a microorganism determined by its constituent antigens; a taxonomic subdivision based thereon. se·ro·type n. See serovar. v. 0:9, New Cause of Whirlpool-Associated Dermatitis," Am J Med, 74:73-77. 10. "Outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Serotype 0:9 Associated with a Whirlpool," (1981), MMWR, 30(27):329-331. 11. "Rash Associated with Use of Whirlpools," (1979), MMWR, Apr. 27, 1979:182-184. 12. "Pool-Associated Rash Illness," (1975), MMWR, Oct. 11, 1975:349-350. 13. McCausland, W.J., P.J. Cox (1975), "Pseudomonas Infection Traced to Motel Whirlpool," J Environ Health, 37(5):455-457. 14. Hudson, P.J., et al. (1985), "Duration of Whirlpool-Spa Use as a Risk Factor for Pseudomonas Dermatitis," Am J Epidemiol, 122(5):915-917. 15. Keirn, M.A., H.D. Putnam (1968), "Resistance of Staphylococci to Halogens as Related to a Swimming Pool Environment," HLS (Hue Lightness Saturation) A color space that is closely related to HSB, except that Brightness is called Lightness and is measured from 0 to 1 rather than from 0 to 100%. See HSB. , 5(3):181-193. 16. "Update-Outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease Associated with a Cruise Ship, 1994," (1994), MMWR, 43(31):574-575. 17. Witherell, L.E., et al. (1983), "Isolation of Legionella pneumophila from Recreational Whirlpools Spas," J Environ Health, 46(2):77-79. 18. Mangione, E.J., et al. (1985), "An Outbreak of Pontiac Fever Related to Whirlpool Use, Michigan 1982," JAMA JAMA abbr. Journal of the American Medical Association , 253(4):535-539. 19. U.S. EPA (1987), "Control of Legionella in Plumbing Systems," March 31. 20. Sorvillo, F.J., et al. (1985), "Shigellosis Associated with Recreational Water Contact in Los Angeles County," Am J Trop Med Hyg, 38(3):613-617. 21. D'Angelo, L.J., et al. (1979), "Pharyngoconjunctival Fever Caused by Adenovirus Type 4: Report of a Swimming Pool-Related Outbreak with Recovery of Virus from Pool Water," J Infect Dis, 140(1):42-47. 22. "Outbreak of Pharyngoconjunctival Fever at a Summer Camp-North Carolina, 1991," (1991), Medical News, 13(8):499-500. 23. Keswick, B.H., C.P. Gerba, S.M. Sagar Sagar (sä`gər), city (1991 pop. 257,119), Madhya Pradesh state, central India. Sagar is a regional market for wheat, cotton, and oilseed. Such industries as sawmilling, oil, and flour milling are important. (1981), "Occurrence of Enteroviruses Enteroviruses Viruses which live in the gastrointestinal tract. Coxsackie viruses, viruses that cause hand-foot-mouth disease, are an enterovirus. Mentioned in: Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Community Swimming Pools," Am J Public Health 71(9):1026-1030. 24. Mahoney, F.J., et al. (1992), "An Outbreak of Hepatitis A Associated with Swimming in a Public Pool," J Infect Dis, 165(Apr):613-618. 25. Benenson, A.S. (ed.), (1990), Control of Communicable Diseases, Am. Public Health Assoc., Washington, D.C., pp. 112-114, 182-185. 26. Porter, J.D., H.P. Ragazzoni, J.D. Buchanon (1988), "Giardia Transmission in a Swimming Pool," Am J Public Health, 79(6):659-662. 27. Jarrol, E.L., A.K. Bingham, E.A. Meyer (1981), "Effect of Chlorine on Giardia lamblia Cyst cyst, abnormal sac in the body, filled with a fluid or semisolid and enclosed in a membrane. Cysts can be congenital but are usually acquired, the most common locations being the skin and the ovaries. Viability," App Environ Microbiol, 41(2):483-487. 28. Current, W.L., L.S. Garcia (1991), "Cryptosporidiosis," Clin Microbio Rev, 4:325-358. 29. Addiss, D.G., et al. (1991), "Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium infections in child daycare centers in Fulton, County, Georgia," Pediatr Infect Dis J, 10(12):907-911. 30. Cordell, R.L., D.G. Addiss (1994), "Cryptosporidiosis in childcare settings: a review of the literature and recommendations for prevention of control," Pediat Infect Dis J, 12(4):310-317. 31. "Cryptosporidiosis among Children Attending Daycare Centers-Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, California, New Mexico (1984), MMWR, 33(42):599-600. 32. Pickering, L.K., A.V. Bartlett, W.E. Woodward (1986), "Acute Infections Diarrhea Among Children in Daycare: Epidemiology and Control," Review of Infec Dis, 8(4):539-547. 33. Kuhls, T.L, et al. (1994), "Seroprevalence seroprevalence Immunology The proportion of a population that is seropositive–ie, has been exposed to a particular pathogen or immunogen; the seropositivity of a population is calculated as the number of individuals who produce a particular antibody divided of Crypotosporidial Antifodies During Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence," Clin Infec Dis, 18:731-735. 34. Sterling, C.R. (1987), "Cryptosporidium: The Potential for Waterborne Transmission," Proceedings of the Water Quality Technology Conference, Nov. 15-20, 1987, Baltimore, Md., American Water Works Assoc. 35. Sorvillo, F.J., K. Fujioka, B. Nahlen, M.P. Tormey, R. Kebabjian, L. Mascola (1992), "Swimming-Associated Cryptosporidiosis," Am J Public Health, 82(5):742-744. 36. Bell, A., et al. (1993), "A Swimming Pool-associated Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis in British Columbia," Canadian J of Public Health, 84(5):334-337. 37. Bongard, J., et al. (1994), "Cryptosporidium Infections Associated with Swimming Pools - Dane County, Wisconsin, 1993," MMWR, 43(31):561-563. 38. McAnulty, J.M., D.W. Fleming, A.H. Gonzalez (1994), "A Community-wide Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis Associated with Swimming at a Wave Pool," JAMA, 272(20):1597-1600. 39. Joce, R.E., et al. (1991), "An Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis Associated with a Swimming Pool," Epidemiol Infec, 107:497-508. 40. Gabrielsen, M.A. (1987), Swimming Pools: A Guide to their Planning, Design, and Operation, Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., Champaign, Ill. p. 197. 41. Tamminen, T. (1995), The Professional Pool Maintenance Manual, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, p. 126. 42. Finch, G.R., et al. (1993), "Ozone Inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum by in Vitro Excystation and Animal Infectivity," Appl Environ Microbiol, 59(12):4203-4209. Richard S. Kebabjian, M.P.H., R.E.H.S., Director, Recreational Health Program, Los Angeles Co. Dept. of Health Services, 2525 Corporate Pl., Room 150, Monterey Park, CA 91754 |
|
||||||||||||||||||

ful·ness n.
ti·va
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion