DSA - Documentos de orientação técnica
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing DSA - Documentos de orientação técnica by Subject "Drowning"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Guidelines on recreational water quality. Volume 1: coastal and fresh watersPublication . World Health OrganizationExecutive summary: The World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines on recreational water quality: volume 1 – coastal and fresh waters aims to protect public health by ensuring that the quality of recreational waters is safely managed. These guidelines update substantial content from the 2003 WHO Guidelines for safe recreational water environments: volume 1 – coastal and fresh waters and its 2009 addendum. Key changes are: • emphasis on preventive risk management through site-specific recreational water safety plans at the centre of a water safety framework (Fig. 0.1); and • an exclusive focus on water quality, meaning that hazards that are not related to water quality (drowning; exposure to sun, heat and cold; and dangerous aquatic organisms) are outside the scope of this guideline. References to relevant guidance, including other WHO guidelines, on these topics have been added. Water quality management for swimming pools and spas is addressed in the WHO Guidelines for safe recreational water environments: volume 2 – swimming pools and spas. Use of coastal, estuarine and freshwater recreational water environments has significant benefits for health and well-being, including rest, relaxation, exercise, cultural and religious practices, and aesthetic pleasure. It also provides substantial local, regional and national economic benefits from tourism. However, recreational water environments contain potential hazards, which must be weighed against the benefits. These guidelines focus on water quality management for coastal and freshwater environments. Recreational water sites are ecosystems that support a range of aquatic organisms, including fish and shellfish, insects and birds. Some of these organisms can be nuisances during recreational use of the site, or may even cause injury and health hazards to humans. Protecting human health may need to be balanced against environmental protection targets. Application of these guidelines therefore needs to consider targets and measures for the protection of coastal and aquatic ecosystems. These guidelines are mainly aimed at national and local authorities, and other entities with an obligation to exercise due diligence relating to the safety of recreational water sites. They may be implemented in conjunction with measures for environmental protection of recreational water use sites. Unless otherwise noted, the guidelines apply to the general population participating in all types of recreational water use entailing direct water contact, inhalation of sea spray and beach use. Immunocompromised individuals should seek medical advice on their individual ability to tolerate exposure to surface recreational waters. The guidelines: • describe the current state of knowledge about the possible adverse health impacts of recreational use of coastal, estuarine and freshwater environments; and • set out recommendations for setting national health-based targets; conducting risk assessments; and putting in place management approaches to identify, monitor and control these hazards, and associated public health surveillance and communication. Core recommendations for implementation by national authorities and personnel responsible for implementation of recreational water safety plans (RWSP) are summarized below. The summary also includes management advice for each type of risk, including indicators, guideline values and information on system assessment, monitoring and management communications relevant for RWSPs. In-depth scientific rationale, supporting data and case studies are in Chapters 1–9.