HEALTH CONSULTATION
PESTICIDE RELEASE IN A SWIMMING POOL
POLLOCK, LOUISIANA
II. DISCUSSION
Trifluralin is skin and eye irritant and may cause allergic dermatitis with prolonged exposure [2]. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified trifluralin as a possible human carcinogen based on animal studies (Class C) [3]. The levels detected from the July 20, 1998 sampling were found to be significantly higher than the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 5 ppb for drinking water established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In this situation, although the contaminated water is not used as a drinking water source, incidental ingestion of the pool water could occur during swimming. Prolonged dermal exposure to trifluralin over the entire body is also likely if the pool is reopened. Sensitive individuals may develop skin and eye irritation. Since the concentration of the trifluralin may not be uniform throughout the pool, exposure may occur at levels greater than those detected in the two grab samples.
