You don't want to go here.
I learned the hard way after we got out hot tub ten years ago, that my husband is allergic to bromine. I switched to chlorine and he was fine. He breaks out in a rash all over inside and outside his body when exposed to bromine. There have been a couple of times since when we were on cruises or in hotels where he used the hot tub, they had bromine, it hit again. Now we always ask.
Since I have a BS in Chemistry, I have maintained the hot tub for the last ten years. Husband decided to try, went in to Valley Pool and Spa, and "learned" that NOBODY is allergic to bromine and I was wrong. So they sold him bromine. He "learned" that chlorine doesn't really work since it dissipates too quickly. (Of course, they make a LOT more money off of bromine) He kept the level fairly low but immediately had an asthma attack that kept on and on. Finally, I asked him to stay out of the hot tub for a few weeks, and sure enough, it cleared up.
Then he tried again, with bromine, and was again COVERED head to toe and inside his lungs with the awful rash.
Now he is so fed up with the whole thing that he will never get in it again. I am heartbroken.
I went in to figure out what they had said to make him think nobody is allergic to bromine and that chlorine doesn't work. I was NOT angry, but curious. The lady behind the counter was on the phone and didn't even acknowledge my presence. At 1 pm nobody else seemed to be in the building. I then remembered that the reason I quit getting chemicals for the hot tub there was because this is a common occurrence. They seldom "have time" for their customers. So I'll just vent here. *sigh* I am now giving away the hot tub. read more
