Hot Tub Sanitizer
Hey there! I know you like hot tubs, otherwise you wouldn’t
be looking at this post. But, have you ever thought of the safety concerns
associated with bromine use? In case you didn’t, I’ll fill you in.
Brominating tablets, a chemical commonly used to sanitize
hot tubs, are used because they boil at a higher temperature than chlorine. Though
why you would have your hot tub set that high is beyond me, I find 100°F more
than hot enough. This chemical is also used because it has a less intense smell
than chlorine.
Bromine can irritate the skin, which is why you may
sometimes have dry, or even itchy skin after you get out. When there is too
much bromine in the water you can even develop a rash. Breathing in the bromine
can cause coughing, normally experienced when the chemicals have recently been
added to the hot tub. And if you ever tried opening your eyes under sanitized
water, I’m sure you had red itchy or even sore eyes after. This is because of
the bromine (or chlorine if that’s what was used). I’m sure you are smart
enough to know that swallowing bromine can harm you, which is why your mom
tells you not to drink the pool water.
As long as the safety measures described on the packaging
are followed, bromine is safe to use. When you go into the water before the
wait time is up, or add too much bromine, that issues start to arise. If you
are concerned about bromine affecting your family, you can suggest to your
parents to make some changes. These can include:
- Storing the bromine out of reach from young children and pets
- Looking into another sanitizing system (often called water conditioning systems) such as UV light, ionizers, sea salt, or ozonators
- Suggest a notification system, such as a timer set by the hot tub, so that it can signal if the hot tub is safe to go in
Hot tubs are a lot of fun to hang out in, just make sure
that you are being safe and communicating with your family in case you develop
a bromine allergy.
