MANAGEMENT
Although evidence is lacking, there is consensus on the recommendation to assure that water treatment processes prevent CBPs formation in order to minimize the chance of an increased risk of cancer from its long-term exposure. Current standards for the assessment of THM exposure are mostly defined for the THM content in swimming-pool water, although THM are quite volatile and likely to be present in appreciable concentrations also in the air of indoor swimming-pool facilities. Though it has been progressively acknowledged that airborne THM levels have a central role in inducing CBP-related adverse health effects, there are presently no standards or guidelines for controlling THM levels in indoor air of swimming-pool amenities. There is currently no international standard for the treatment of swimming-pools, with different regulations often provided by state or local governing bodies.
Inhalation of airborne THM and other CBPs seems to be the predominant route of exposure for competitive swimmers, who have an increased breathing rate throughout their regular and prolonged sports and training actions and for coaches and other pool workers and staff, who experience an intense occupational exposure to the THM-rich environment that surrounds the pool. In fact, data on the real long-term exposure to CBPs and the risks that this exposure may represent for the health of competitive swimmers and coaches over the course of their careers is currently lacking. Nevertheless, a few easy and effective steps that all can take to maintain water and air quality are presented as a checklist in table 5 .