Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T09:06:33.348Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Readers' Forum: Public Health Implications Regarding the Epidemiology and Microbiology of Public Whirlpools

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Stuart P. Castle
Stuart P. Castle*
Affiliation:
Office of Epidemiology, New Mexico Health and Environment Department, Santa Fe, New Mexico
*
Office of Epidemiology, New Mexico Health and Environment Department, PO Box 968, Southwest Plaza #1, Santa Fe, NM 87504-0968
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

High temperature bathing in hot tubs, spas and whirlpools poses four potential public health concerns: injury/death, disease transmission, possible teratogenic effects, and congestive heart failure or dysrhythmias for individuals with cardiac problems. Health departments need criteria before initiating environmental and epidemiologic investigations. These criteria must include severity of the disease and number of individuals possibly exposed. In addition, public health officials are obligated to define the magnitude of the problem, inform affected individuals and institute appropriate control measures. Optional information should be collected during an environmental and epidemiologic investigation to clarify the mechanisms of disease transmission and design control measures. The public health response to improving hot water bathing safety and sanitation should be directed at primary prevention. Educational efforts would be directed toward whirlpool operators, users and the medical community. Included should be a review of regulations addressing the construction and operation of public spas and whirlpools.

Type
Special Sections
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 6 , Issue 10 , October 1985 , pp. 418 - 420
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1985

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. National Spa and Pool Institute, 1983: Swimming Pool and Spa Industry Survey, Alexandria, VA, June 1984.Google Scholar
2. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: National Electronic Injury Surveillance Systems, Product Summary Report, All Products Calendar Year 1983; National Injury Information Clearinghouse, Washington, D.C. (Internal Report).Google Scholar
3. Ford-Jones, I., Clogg, D, Delage, G, et al: Health spa whirlpools: A source of pseudomonas folliculitis. CMA Journal 1981;125:1005–1006.Google Scholar
4. Centers for Disease Control: Pool-associaled rash illness. North Carolina. MMWR 1975;24:349.Google Scholar
5. Washburn, J, Jacobson, JA, Marston, E, et al: Pseudomonas aeruginosa rash associated with whirlpool. JAMA 1976;235:2205–2207.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Centers for Disease Control: Otitis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype 0:10 associated with a mobile redwood hot tub system—North Carolina. MMWR 1982;31:40.Google Scholar
7. Salomen, P, Dwyer, DM, Vorse, H, et al: Whirlpool-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa urinary tract infections. JAMA 1983;250:2025–2026.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Rose, HD, Jeanson, TR, Sheth, N, et al: Pseudomonas pneumonia associated with use of a home whirlpool spa. JAMA 1983;250:2027–2029.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Hazards of hot tubs. Public Health Letter 1981(June); 3(6): 1.Google Scholar
10. Harvey, MAS, McRocie, MM, Smith, DW: Suggested limits to the use of the hot tub and sauna by pregnant women. CAM Journal 1981;125:50–53.Google Scholar
11. Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Health Services Division. Suggested health and safety guidelines for public spas and hot tubs. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC 1981.Google Scholar