91997E1284

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1284/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (10 April 1997)

Subject: Chlorine content of water in swimming pools

1. How does the Council assess the health risk posed by trihalogenmethane - (THM) - levels in swimming pools?

2. When does it intend to introduce common limit values at EU level for the chlorine content of swimming pools, and how high will these limit values be set?

3. How does it intend to combat the health risk facing the staff of swimming pools due to chloroform pollution at the surface of water in swimming pools?

4. How does it view the use of anti-mould products based on chlorine to remove mould from walls?

Answer (14 July 1997)

The Council is aware of the risk to human health which can be posed by the trihalogenmethane (THM) and chlorine content of swimming pools as well as by the use of anti-mould products based on chlorine to remove mould from the walls of swimming pools.

The Council has not, however, at this stage been informed of any Commission proposal to introduce Community limit values for these substances for the purpose indicated by the Honourable Member.

The Council would nevertheless draw attention to the fact that:

- the substances to be used in disinfection products will in future, once the Directive concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market ((Common position of the Council of 20 December 1996.(OJ C 69, 5.3.1997, p. 13).)) has been adopted, have to be included in a positive Annex to that Directive following assessment of the risks they may pose in particular to human health, and

- the proposed amendment to the Directive concerning the quality of water intended for human consumption ((OJ C 131, 30.5.1995, p. 5.)) includes the new parameters bromodichloromethane and chloroform because of their carcinogenic properties and makes them subject to binding parametric values.