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One activity that is supposed to be fun and safe, recreational bathing, has become a health risk.
Recreational bathing includes swimming in pools, spas and hot tubs or wading/swimming
in lakes, ponds, rivers, oceans or water parks. People become ill due to consumption
of contaminated water, sometimes even when this water has been adequately chlorinated
or sanitized.
Many studies have shown that bathing in sea or fresh waters that meet
current standards may lead to illness.
The Dutch and the European Commission's bathing water standards do not include reference to P aeruginosa.
HOWEVER :
Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes a variety of illnesses, the most common manifestation is “swimmer’s ear and a variety of skin infections. The bacteria is commonly present in the environment, but grows well in warm water environments such as hot tubs and spas, since heat often breaks down the disinfection ability of pool chemicals. When associated with recreational swimming, it is the source of skin rash often called “hot tub folliculitus”.
Even healthy individuals who are exposed to the bacteria in contaminated water sources such as hot tubs, whirlpools, spas and water parks may develop symptoms.
Dont take any risk, check your pool, spa or hottub every 3 months to assure it is clean and hygienic.
Pseudomonas is a common problem in warm water pools and spas in particular. Fortunately the most common symptom is an itchy rash. It is often confused with bug bites (often complaints are received that a hotel has "bed bugs"), chicken pox, and other types of rashes. It can be much more serious including severe rashes requiring hospitalization, ear infections, urinary and vaginal infections, and probably most serious is pneumonia.
There are two kinds of Pseudomonas outbreaks. Most often seen is what some call transitory Pseudomonas contamination of a spa. About 15% of the population have Pseudomonas as a naturally part of the flora and fauna of their skin. When a "party" occurs in the spa, all the disinfectant is used up and the organism is spread to everyone in the tub from the carrier. Because the hot water opens up the pores, the Pseudomonas can enter the pores, "follicles", in the skin, even of the carrier, and will cause the Pseudomonas Folliculitis problems. Once the party is over, everyone gets out, the spa can reestablish the disinfectant residual and the organisms are killed before setting up residence in the spa.
The second kind problem is when Pseudomonas sets up residence in your spa. If the
disinfectant residual is not re-
It likes to set up residence on surfaces, and is often found in areas of low flow. Sometimes in such large amounts that one can scoop out a handful of the stuff
We recommend to use our Biotester POOL to make sure that your swimming pool would not cause an epidemic Otitis or folliculitus which will result in a negative PR.
Feel free to contact us, our Pool specialist will answer all your questions
