Irritant contact dermatitis due to 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin in a hydrotherapy pool. Risk assessments: the need for continuous evidence-based assessments

A physiotherapist working in hydrotherapy presented to occupational health with irritant contact dermatitis. Subsequent investigation revealed that th e likely causative agent was 1-bromo 3-chloro 5,5 dimethylhydantoin which w as used to disinfect the hydrotherapy pool. A COSHH risk assessment had bee n performed which failed to take full account of current knowledge and this agent had been introduced into the workplace. The development of adverse h ealth effects among staff and other pool users lead to a review of this ris k assessment and eventually a return to less hazardous chlorine-based disin fection. Had an evidence-based approach been combined with an appropriate C OSHH assessment prior to and following changes in the workplace then unnece ssary risk to employees would not have occurred.