With the start of the 1999 bathing season in Europe only a couple of months away, the World Health Organization (WHO) is convening a meeting of international experts to discuss aspects of recreational water safety. The meeting will take place from 17 to19 February 1999 at the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health in Rome.
WHO has been concerned with the health aspects of water resources management for many years, and in view of this is developing a series of guidelines for safe recreational-water environments. The guidelines are intended for managers and policy-makers in developing international and national approaches to the effective control of hazards encountered in recreational waters, as well as to aid local decision-making. The meeting will develop the guidelines for swimming pools, spas and similar recreational water environments. Guidelines for fresh and coastal waters have recently been released to experts for consultation.
Millions of people will be using swimming pools, spas and coastal and fresh water areas world-wide throughout the summer months, unaware of potential hazards to their health. Contamination of recreational water by sewage, occasional chemical pollution, exposure to heat, cold and UV radiation, and exposure to toxic algal products and physical hazards poses risks to bathers and other recreational water users.
A range of illnesses, including gastrointestinal complaints and ear, nose and throat infections, have been linked with sewage-contaminated bathing water. In addition, eye and skin infections may occur, as well as other, more severe albeit rare conditions such as leptospirosis, infectious hepatitis and typhoid fever. New challenges currently being recognized include pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and by-products of water treatment, which are of particular concern in swimming pools and spas.
Up to now, less attention has been paid to physical injuries and accidental deaths resulting from the use of spas, aqua parks and unsupervised private pools, lakes and other freshwater bodies, which pose particular hazards to children. Each year many accidents resulting in spinal injuries, drowning and near-drowning occur as a result of diving or falling into water bodies.
Following the expert meeting, a public health seminar – open to all – will be held on 19 February at the Associazione Cività, Piazza Venezia 11 (5th floor), Rome, from 08.45 - 17.00. The meeting will discuss the issues surrounding the risks and benefits of recreational water use. Among those present will be representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Health Canada, the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, the European Commission, the University of Modena, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, the World Health Organization and governmental and nongovernmental organizations.
For more information, contact:
Dr Kathy Pond or Ms Manuela Zingales
World Health Organization European Centre for Environment and Health
Rome Division
Tel.: +39 06 48 77 544 / 536
Fax: +39 06 48 77 599
e-mail: ecehr@who.it
Franklin Apfel or Annette Andkjaer
Communication and Public Affairs
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Tel.: +45 39 17 13 36 or +45 39 17 13 44
Fax: +45 39 17 18 80
or ana@who.dk
