Sanitize With Zero Chlorine And Bromine?

[mcaimless]

I've recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and am learning a lot about the effects of bromine and chlorine on the thyroid-- none of which are good. I'm seeking a way to sanitize our hot tub without using these chemicals. I've seen the Spa Frog and ozonators mentioned. Our hot tub has a ozonator installed but I don't know if it still works or not (2005 Sundance I bought used).

A couple of questions:

Is there some way to test the ozonator or should I just replace? When I got lax on adding bromine last winter my husband got hot tub folliculitis so it's not doing all the sanitizing for sure.

Do the mineral sanitizers work well and combined with an ozonator will they completely sanitize the spa?

How do you test once using these systems to make sure things are still working?

Also any other info on how to accomplish this would be greatly appreciated.

[hottubdan]

I've recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and am learning a lot about the effects of bromine and chlorine on the thyroid-- none of which are good. I'm seeking a way to sanitize our hot tub without using these chemicals. I've seen the Spa Frog and ozonators mentioned. Our hot tub has a ozonator installed but I don't know if it still works or not (2005 Sundance I bought used).

A couple of questions:

Is there some way to test the ozonator or should I just replace? When I got lax on adding bromine last winter my husband got hot tub folliculitis so it's not doing all the sanitizing for sure.

Do the mineral sanitizers work well and combined with an ozonator will they completely sanitize the spa?

How do you test once using these systems to make sure things are still working?

Also any other info on how to accomplish this would be greatly appreciated.

There are ways to test your ozone generator. If you have a UV unit, you need to replace. However, you still need some chlorine or bromine.

Yours is a situation where you should consider BaquaSpa, Sort Soak or Leisure Time Free. Chlorine/Bromine free systems. Google them for info.

[quantumchromodynamics]

I'm not a doctor, but I don't think that the chlorine or bromine from a hot tub would have any effect on your thyroid. I would think that the primary concern would be chlorine in your drinking water.

Do you have any references related to chlorine from a pool or hot tub causing concern problems with someone's thyroid?

[mcaimless]

Do you have any references related to chlorine from a pool or hot tub causing concern problems with someone's thyroid?

Does sitting in and breathing the fumes of bromide or chlorine for extended periods of time damage the thyroid? I haven't found any studies pertaining to this. There are only the many reference about the damaging effects of halogens (other than iodine) on the thyroid.

I do know that my hypothyroidism is idiopathic and not stemming from any "known" cause, like an autoimmune disease. It seems prudent to avoid any known substances that are known to compete for the iodine receptors. I have installed reverse osmosis in my drinking water to take out the fluoride and chlorine as well.

It's also possible that simply reducing the amount of chlorine or bromine by adding supplimental sanitation devices might help. Less halogens is definitely better in my case.

[Roger]

I'm not a doctor, but I don't think that the chlorine or bromine from a hot tub would have any effect on your thyroid. I would think that the primary concern would be chlorine in your drinking water.

Do you have any references related to chlorine from a pool or hot tub causing concern problems with someone's thyroid?

A properly done chlorine system has you soaking in levels of chlorine down in the .2 to 0 range which is substantialy lower than city drinking water levels. You must be used to public pools and spa where the chlorine level is so high for safety reasons. Adding upon exit to kill the nastys and allowing for dissipation and maitanence by O3 and Minerals will keep your water sparkling and have you not soaking in chlorine.

[Bernie]

Use iodine.  In particular Potassium Iodide. This is the same stuff that is added to table salt.  Iodine is a halogen. the only one that is an essential nutrient and a very effective. There were a number of pool studies done in the 50s  that compared iodine very favorably to chlorine.  Also it has a much higher evaporation temperature so you hardly have to add any. 

 

One study,

Effectiveness of Iodine for the Disinfection of Swimming Pool Water

found  less .1 ppm free iodine was effective.

However they were using chlorine to create the free iodine.  You should be using ozone which will not create chloride-iodide compounds. So your levels might have to be a little higher but probably not.

You only need enough free iodine to turn the water slightly green.  Brown is way more than you need.

 

You can not use it for a public pool currently because it is not a recognized sanitizer by the EPA.  (too friendly to the environment - not good for the chlorine industry)

 

It is best to start with water with all halogens filtered out.  You can get inexpensive shower filters that will filter chlorine and fluorine.   If you don't you will have toxic iodide-chloride or iodide flouride compounds that you do not want. You can tell if you have effectively filtered out the chlorine and fluorine because when you drop the potassium iodide into the water it will dissolve clear and not break down. This assumes you are not  running the ozone generator. If it is breaking down you will see little circles of brown.

 

You hot-tub will not only be relaxing but energizing!