Dangerous swimming pools
By The Nation
Most swimming pools at schools, hotels, fun parks, condominiums and malls are substandard and put users' health at risk, warned the Department of Health's director general.
A survey found that more than 85 per cent had residual chlorine with a pH value lower than 5.5, compared to the required value of between 6.5 and 7.5, Narongsak Angkhasuwapala said Tuesday.
He urged pool owners to regularly check water quality and update results so that people know pools are well maintained.
The survey was conducted in 2004 and 2005 at 476 swimming pools in Bangkok and nearby provinces.
Narongsak warned that some pools used chlorine with too much acidity, causing dental erosion among swimmers.
He said another report by his office in 2003 found that 31 per cent of 139 swimming pools in 15 provinces had residual chlorine with a pH value lower than 5.5.
The Nation