Swimming pools represent a special water environment where materials of human origin are continuously introduced while the chlorine residuals were consistently maintained. With the knowledge of DBP formation, one can expect there will be a massive formation of DBPs, which will be harmful to bathers and pool attendants via the pathways of dermal absorption, inhalation, and ingestion.

Although the trihalomethane concentrations could be low due to water agitation induced evaporation, the haloacetic acid concentrations can be accumulative and reach thousands of micro grams per liter. We are working on developing a modeling process to quantify the formation of DBPs and chlorine residuals in swimming pools. In order to achieve this goal, an thorough understanding on the organics from urine, sweat, saliva, hair, lotion brought in by pool users regarding their DBP formation potential in the pool environment is needed. Considering many pools were insufficiently chlorinated during the summer when there are peak loads of bathers, we are also striving to work out a solution for effective chlorination. Treatment methods are also important in our view. We are exploring methods such as employment of a BAC filter for on-site treatment of swimming pool water to lower the DBP level. Representative publications in this regard are as follows: (# denotes my student author, * denotes the corresponding author)

Berg, A.P.#; Fang, T.-A.#; Tang, H.L.* Variability of residual chlorine in swimming pool water and determination of chlorine consumption for maintaining hygienic safety of bathers with a simple mass balance model. Journal of Water and Health, 2019, 17(2), 227-236. DOI: 10.2166/wh.2018.217

Berg, A.P.#; Fang, T.-A.#; Tang, H.L.* Unlocked disinfection by-product formation potential upon exposure of swimming pool water to additional stimulants. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering, 2019. 13(1), 10. DOI: 10.1007/s11783-019-1098-3

Tang, H.L.*; Xie, Y.F. Biologically active carbon filtration for haloacetic acid removal from swimming pool water. Science of the Total Environment, 2016, 541, 58-64. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.09.059

Tang, H.L.; Ristau II, R.J.; Xie, Y.F. Disinfection by-products in swimming pool water: Formation, modeling, and control. in Recent Advances in Disinfection By-products, ACS Symposium Series, Vol 1190, American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2015, Chapter 20, pp 381-403. DOI: 10.1021/bk-2015-1190.ch020