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"Hot Tub Lung"
is a relatively new condition originally published in the "Mayo Clinic Proceedings" November 2002. The condition is either an infection or an irritation due to exposure to mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) .
At temperatures above 84 degrees Fahrenheit, the level at which many if not most tubs operate, chlorine loses its much of its disinfectant properties, especially if proper sanitizing procedures are not followed, and MAC can flourish. The bubbles and steam rising from the spa or hot tub create an aerosol through which MAC readily enters the lungs by normal breathing or inhalation. It should be noted that it is currently unclear from the reports whether this condition is an infection or hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
The Mayo Clinic researchers also noted that all of the reported cases of "hot tub lung" have been associated with INDOOR spas or hot tubs at a personal residence.
The condition is most likely to occur when spa & hot tub owners DO NOT physically clean the tubs (drain, clean, rinse, refill), chemically clean or change the filter(s) (use SpaGuard® Filter Cleaner) as often as is recommended and/or do not follow a proper sanitizing procedure.
Click here to learn more about
Spa & Hot Tub Odors.
Perform the following procedure to treat the infected spa or hot tub:
Drain the spa and refill just above the jets.
Remove the filter and soak in a solution of chlorine and water during treatment. (2 Tbsp
Dry chlorinating concentrate per 5 gallons of water)
Shock with
four times the normal dose of Stabilized Chlorinating Granules.
Turn on the jets and circulate for 2 - 3 hours. The bacterial growth usually builds up in the lines, so it is necessary to flush them thoroughly.
Use products such as
Spa Purge or Swirl Away or AquaFinesse Spa Clean Tablet or Spa System Flush or
SpaBoss Whirlpool Rinse to attack & remove the biofilm.
Drain the spa again and refill with fresh water.
Rinse &
chemically clean and/or replace the filter.
Rebalance spa (pH, total alkalinity & calcium hardness) and shock.
Do not enter the spa until sanitizer level drops below 4.0 ppm.
As an additional precaution, Par Pool & Spa STRONGLY RECOMMENDS cleaning the underside of the spa or hot tub insulating cover with
a hard-surface disinfectant such as Pursue®
Broad Spectrum Disinfectant Deodorizer or Lysol® following all label instructions for
disinfecting.
Prevention:
Enforce shower rules before entering spa.
Maintain 1.0 - 3.0 ppm Free Available chlorine in residual spas and 3.0 - 5.0 ppm in commercial spas.
A side note:
Products such as Soft Soak® Sanitizer and Soft Swim® "B" do not lose their effectiveness as water temperature increases.
Information found in "Mayo Clinic Proceedings," November 2002
For further information &
treatment regarding Chloramines, visit our
Spa Care Knowledge Base
If you still need help, here's how to
reach us:
Telephone (during
store hours): Stratford 203-377-0100
FAX: (24 hrs) 203-375-7787
Email:
techhelp@parpool-spa.com
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