Gene

Well, according to my infectious disease specialist, I do NOT have hot tub lung, even though I have the same bacteria that causes it - mycobacterium avium. From what I understand, this bacteria is present everywhere - soil, drinking water, etc. When it gets into hot tub water and multiplies, it can cause a reaction if you breathe enough of it in the bubbles, and that causes hot tub lung. The origin of mine is unknown, but as hot tub lung seems to always occur with indoor hot tubs, and mine is outdoor, its pretty sure my hot tub is not the culprit. What I have is more serious than hot tub lung, and I have to be on three antibiotics for a year or more. Hot tub lung just requires abstinence to clear it up. Just wanted to share the information I found - hope it is useful to someone else.

I use "The Natural" - an enzyme based liquid that is supposed to only be added once every three months, plus weekly non-chlorine shock. I've been reading up about The Natural and am no longer confident it is sufficient to keep the water healthy. From everything I've read, Hot Tub Lung only occurs with people with indoor hot tubs - mine is outdoor, so I'm not sure that the mycobacterium avium in my lungs is actually from the hot tub - but as I've used the hot tub pretty much daily for 10 years, and the disease seems fairly rare, I'm assuming that's where I've gotten it from. I will probably switch to Baquaspa from all that I've read here - seems like the best choice.

ANother article from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no6/mangione.htm

Has anyone heard of Hot Tub Lung Disease before? I've had a chronic cough for 10 years, and just found out I have the bacteria Mycobacterium avium, which is the culprit in Hot Tub Lung Disease. It apparently happens when hot tubs aren't properly maintained. From the Mao Clinic: "Hot tub lung" is an uncommon infection or allergic reaction of the lungs due to inhaling the bacterium Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) from a hot tub. M. avium belongs to the same class of bacteria that cause tuberculosis, but it's not contagious. Hot tubs provide an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, such as M. avium. Bacterial growth is more likely to occur in tubs that aren't cleaned as often as recommended. Also, added chlorine loses most of its disinfectant properties at temperatures above 84 F (29 C). The bacteria get into your lungs when the bubbling hot tub water evaporates. The bubbles rise to the surface, burst and disperse the bacteria into the air. Hot tub lung can be easily prevented by properly maintaining your hot tub, or asking about the maintenance of hot tubs at spas or hotels. from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hot-tub-lung/AN00660 I've never heard of this before, and now it looks like I've got it! This is really scary! Why isn't this better known and advertised?

I'm open to recommendations. I have friends with all sorts of skin sensitivities, thus the avoiding chlorine/bromine. What do you recommend? What about ClearWater Blue, another I've been looking at?

Thanks for all the help. A few questions remain. First, can someone tell me what are MPS and dichlor? I see the terms used all the time her, but don't know what they mean. Are these substances I can ask for at a spa store? Are they forms of chlorine? Second, what I'm understanding from the afore conversations is that The Natural + weekly shock should be sufficient, just not as rapid as the EPA requires. Is that the gist of what is being said? I should mention that my hot tub is usually used by a relatively large group of friends (we sometimes pack 12 or more into my 8-seater!), plus my nightly soak. So the main concern is with a large group of people, which increases the likelihood of e-coli in the water, since it's pretty hard to ask everyone to wash their butt before they get in! I figure a weekly shock should be done immediately after my friends are in to purify the water. Does this make sense? Many thanks for your advice!

Thanks. A dumb question - what are MPS and dichlor? I see the terms used all the time her, but don't know what they mean. Are these substances I can ask for at a spa store? Are they forms of chlorine?

What are you using for shock? Sometimes this is the sanitizer and it may be enough for your particular use. The only system that truely does not use any chlorine or bromine is Baqa, it is peroxide. It has many issues of its own, some hate it some love it. You have you use some sort of an EPA approved sanitizer technically. If the Naatural has been working for you, you have not gotten the spa rash or sick, why do you want to change. The EPA does not come to your house. I'm using Renew, a non-chlorine shock, once a week - but I thought I understood a sanitizer was needed in addition to shock in order to use something like The Natural. Did I misunderstand? Is weekly shock plus The Natural sufficient? I actually did pick up a UTI from somewhere a year ago - e-coli antibiotic resistant. Had to go on IV's to get rid of it - a real pain. There's no way of telling if it came from the hot tub or not, but that's what started me researching on if The Natural was sufficient, or if I was possibly taking too big a risk. I've heard e-coli is the most common bacteria in a hot tub.

Reading through this forum is pretty discouraging. Everyone seems to have a different opinion. I, as it seems many others, am looking for alternatives to chlorine/bromine, due to smell and skin irritation. I've been using The Natural for years with a shock, but now I'm hearing I also have to use chorine/bromine as a sanitizer. Is there anywhere a simple chart of alternatives to chorine/bromine, for someone who just wants reasonably healthy water? I don't really care if it's approved or not, as long as it will do a reasonable job, and is fairly simple to maintain. I'm willing to pay more to be lazy Also, where can I read about salt water systems? I hadn't heard of them before. I imagine it's more complex than just adding salt? Gene

Anyone heard of "The Natural"? rhtubs.com sells it. I'd been using it with a shock in place of a sanitizer, but have been told it doesn't do the job. From rhtubs: "The Natural" is a completely natural and safe alternative to traditional spa care. The ingredients of this product include none of the harsh chemicals normally associated with spa maintenance. "The Natural" is packed full of lanolin, vitamines and a seaweed based enzymie. This is an all natural, non-toxic "earth friendly" product that will help keep your spa clean and healthy using natural enzymes. Unlike harsh chemicals such as chlorine and bromine, The Natural is 100% safe to people and the environment. Thanks.