Chlorination disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are the inevitable result of chemical reactions between the chlorine added to swimming pool water and the organic and/or nitrogeneous matter that is naturally present or introduced by bathers.

These byproducts can be broken down into numerous categories and even more components (>600), which have led to concerns from legislators and scientists worldwide about the impact of these substances on workers’ health.

The problems of irritation associated with exposure to chloramines (CAM) that pollute the ambient air are the most often cited. However, the potential health impacts related to chronic trihalomethane (THM) or haloacetic acid (HAA) exposure should not be neglected.

Few studies on this subject have been carried out to date in Québec, and information about exposure of swimming pool staff to various DBPs remains very limited.

This study tries to fill the gap.