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Model Aquatic Health Code

Current CDC Guidelines

The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC)

Searchable Model Aquatic Health Code

Recreational Use of Spa Thermal Waters: Criticisms and Perspectives for Innovative Treatments

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Dec; 15(12): 2675.

The question of the "untouchability" of therapeutic natural waters and their incompatibility with traditional disinfection processes is addressed considering the demand for effective treatments that would respect the natural properties

National Library of Medicine - Recreational Use of Spa Thermal Waters: Criticisms and Perspectives

Harmful Bacteria, Organisms, Parasites

CDC- Facts about Naegleria fowleri and Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis

National Library of Medicine - Survey of Naegleria fowleri in Geothermal Recreational Waters of Guad. . .

National Library of Medicine - PCR Detection and Analysis of the Free-Living Amoeba Naegleria in Hot . . .

Scientific Discussion of Selected Viruses Including COVID-19 In Hot Springs

The efficiency of eliminating viruses in hot springs depends on the disinfection of their waters. Conventional procedures, such as chlorination and its chemical derivatives, are commonly used in thermal water pools for recreational use. However medicinal uses avoid using them so as not to alter the physical- chemical characteristics of the thermal water and preserve its natural properties. Frequent replacement of hot springs is the most common treatment in Colombia to preserve the quality of the hot springs, due to the constant outcrop of the water, which controls the microbiological quality of the water, which is not yet regulated.

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Potential Association of Legionnaires' Disease with Hot Spring Water, Hot Springs National Park and Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA, 2018-2019.

During 2018-2019, Legionnaires' disease occurred in 5 persons after they visited Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas; 3 of these persons were potentially exposed in spa facilities that used untreated hot spring water. Environmental testing revealed Legionella bacteria in piped spring water, including 134°F stagnant pipe water. These findings underscore the importance of water management programs to reduce Legionella growth in plumbing through control activities such as maintaining hot water temperatures, reducing stored water age, and ensuring adequate water flow.

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Disinfectants

To treat or not to treat? Misbeliefs in spa water disinfection

May 2019 International Journal of Biometeorology

“Spa waters should be left untreated “says the dogmatic approach. Health authorities of European countries having traditional spa culture strictly control hygienic conditions of bathing in thermal/mineral waters. These regulations are based on the assumption that chemical treatment (disinfection) of such waters impacts their healing effects. However, a slow change of paradigm has been observed in studying the mode of action of spa waters that could help overcome recent attitudes. Organic content or the role of microbiome has also been emphasized by some authors recently. The article deals with possible interactions among aquatic microorganisms and the disinfection and health effects of spa waters and tries to explain the new findings in this field.

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Clear Waters and a Green Gas: A History of Chlorine as a Swimming pool Sanitizer in the United States

Unlike a lake or a river, a pool has no source of fresh water or a means of flushing out the impurities. Some method of sanitizing the water is needed to make swimming safe and pleasurable. For almost a century, chlorinated compounds have provided it. Even for professional chemists, the chemistry of pool chlorination can be a mysterious art.

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Flow Through

New Zealand Pool Water Quality [By Authority of New Zealand Ministry of Education Health and Safety Code of Practice], 2010

Geothermal flow-through pools

(a) The pool shall be operated on a flow-through principle with a flow rate of at least one quarter of the pool volume per hour;

(b) The pool shall be emptied completely at least daily and the sides and bottom brushed with a chlorine solution (for example, 50 g of calcium hypochlorite per 10 L of water) and then washed down with clean water;

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WATER WELLNESS

Immune System

FEMTEC-balneology-immunology-September-2020

World Health - Stress and the Immune System Tracy B. Herbert

WHO - Coronavirus: WHO gives advice on how to boost your health to fight Covid-19

Immune Boosting Programs Amanda Wilson

Immune Boosting Aroma Bathing at Hot Springs Theme Rains Synthesis

Global Hot Springs Initiative - Immune Boosting Practices at Hot Springs and Related Research

Immune Boosting Programs at Hot Springs

Hydro-Thermal Therapies are Essential for Building Health, Safety and Resilience . . .

Convalescence - National Geographic

Turning up the Heat on COVID-19

Balneotherapy and human immune function in the era of COVID-19

Minerals

Health Benefits of Minerals

Balneotherapy

Balneotheraphy Care in Spas and Health Resorts in Europe

Health Benefits of Hydrotherapy and Hot Springs Use

The Science Behind Water, Heat and Cold Therapies

Published by Therme Group, The Science Behind Water, Heat, and Cold Therapies: A Collection of Evidence shares an in-depth, scientific study into the powerful impact of water, heat and cold exposure.

BMJ Journals - Habitual tub bathing and risks of incident coronary heart disease and stroke

Beneficial effect of hot spring bathing on stress levels in Japanese macaques

A Hot Bath Delivers Health Benefits Similar to Exercise

Hot Springs use found to relieve back pain, arthritis, injury, chronic pain, depression, anxiety

Reduction in hospitalizations, sick days and pharmacological drug use

The effectiveness of balneotherapy in chronic low back pain

Spa therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a large randomised multicentre trial