The Occurrence of -nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Swimming Pools: An Overview.

The occurrence of several disinfectant byproducts has been investigated in swimming pools. Until now, there are only a few studies on nitrosamine, particularly -nitrosodimethylamine in swimming pool water. This could be due to the lack of a suitable method that is sensitive enough for the measurement of -nitrosodimethylamine in pool waters. Other disinfectant byproducts formed in pool water widely documented are trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, halonitromethanes, and chloramines but inadequate information on -nitrosodimethylamine. This paper provides a review of the nitrogenous disinfectant byproduct in swimming pools and its health implications. Anthropogenic substances introduced by swimmers such as sweat, lotions, and urine contribute to the formation of -nitrosodimethylamine. The reaction of secondary amines such as dimethylamine with mono/dichloroamines produced dimethyl hydrazine and further undergo oxidation to form -nitrosodimethylamine. The reaction of chlorine and other disinfectants with these anthropogenic sources in swimming pools cause cancer and asthma in human tissues. Thus, the assessment of -nitrosodimethylamine in the swimming pool is less well documented. Therefore, the health consequences, mutagenic, and genotoxic potentials of -nitrosodimethylamine should be the focus of more research studies.