YOU ARE HERE: LAT HomeCollections Question: We're buying a home with a Jacuzzi bathtub, and our home inspector warned us about health hazards resulting from bacteria in the whirlpool plumbing. Is this something that warrants serious concern? If so, what can we do to protect ourselves?Answer: Infections and illnesses of various types have been linked, in recent years, to the use of hot tubs and whirlpool bathtubs. In some cases, whirlpool-related infections have involved bacteria that are resistant to known antibiotics. Reported ailments include infections to the skin, eyes, lungs, kidneys, bladder and reproductive organs. In one instance, an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease was documented. In response to this, updated warnings have been released by the Consumer Products Safety Commission in Washington, D.C.The main source of bacterial growth in whirlpool tubs is the residue that accumulates in the piping. These substances include soap film, body secretions, skin, hair, bath oils and dirt.

When these organic substances combine with minerals in the water, they congeal and coat the lining of the water piping and other components of the whirlpool system. Curtains IndigoThe warm, dark environment is ideal for the growth of infectious microorganisms.Total Soy Weight Loss ShakesTo eliminate this bacterial culture from your tub, it is recommended that the system be cleaned regularly. Ralph Lauren Blue And White CurtainsBe aware, however, that normal household disinfectants and cleaners such as bleach, detergents, vinegar or baking soda are not completely effective in removing whirlpool contaminants.Whirlpool manufacturers recommend operating the system for about 15 minutes with hot water and a solution of common dishwasher detergent.

This has been found to be effective in dislodging contaminants. After draining, the system should be rinsed by operating the system with clear cool water.There are also companies that professionally clean whirlpool systems using specially formulated cleaners. The bottom line, however, is to be aware of possible health hazards and clean your whirlpool system or have it cleaned on a regular basis. For further details regarding the proper cleaning and maintenance of your unit, contact the manufacturer.Even Small Building Should Be Up to CodeQ: A home inspector recently cited the workshop building in my backyard for violations involving the electrical wiring and sink plumbing. He recommended that I obtain a building permit and have the construction approved by the city. I checked the building code and found that detached accessory buildings do not require permits if they are smaller than 120 square feet.How can I convince the inspector that the workshop is exempt from code requirements? I want to sell my house and would like to resolve this before it goes on the market.

A: It is true that small accessory buildings, in many instances, can be constructed without building permits. But there are three errors in your position, two of which indicate that your reading of the building code may have been selective and incomplete.To begin with, even when construction work is exempt from building permit requirements, such exemption does not include electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. The building code is specific on this point, requiring permits for all plumbing and electrical construction to maintain adequate health and safety conditions.Furthermore, the code plainly stipulates that exemption from building permit requirements does not grant authority to an owner or builder to violate any building code provisions. You may be allowed to construct a small building without a permit, but you are still required to perform all aspects of the work in full compliance with all code specifications.Finally, there is an aspect of this issue that transcends specific code considerations: Regardless of any legal mandates, you should exercise a proactive concern for the general health and safety of anyone who might use your workshop building.

The purpose of the building code is " . . . to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare. . . ." Avoidance of these standards on the basis of a technical exemption or other legal loophole demonstrates an unfortunate and ill-advised approach.My advice is to err on the side of safety and common sense. As noted above, the building code is a "minimum standard.".Distributed by Access Media Group. Seizure Led to FloJo's DeathHis 104 scores make his caseRestaurant review: South Beverly GrillBrutal Murder by Teen-Age Girls Adds to Britons' ShockComaneci Confirms Suicide Attempt, Magazine SaysWe've tackled a lot of germy topics here on Vitamin G: the germiest jobs, the germiest foods, the ickies chillin' on the lemon wedge in your drink and most recently the germiest places at the gym. Now, we take on public hot tubs--like the ones at hotels, gyms, or the one you're about to dive into at your friend's pool party. Read this before sticking your toe in...

****I've always been suspicious of public hot tubs (or Jacuzzis, Whirlpools--or whatever you call them in your area of the country/world). But after Yahoo Shine picked up one of my Vitamin G posts about the germiest places at the gym, some readers chimed in about public hot tubs. And, this comment from Yahoo user "Habanero" really made me shudder:"Having owned health clubs I can tell you the most disgusting place in a gym is the whirlpool ... "We would drain the whirlpool often to clean it. Tampons, rubbers, panty liners, band aids, fake nails, toe nails, mice etc. I would often wonder why people would 'bathe' with perfect strangers."Um, this commenter had me at tampons. [Insert image of me shuddering.] OK, so this is all unsubstantiated, so I decided to do some digging around, and what I found wasn't exactly reassuring. Some facts about public hot-tubbing (better put your sandwich down before proceeding):It's like taking a bath--with a stranger: "When you are in the water you are bathing with everyone else in the pool, waterpark, hot tub, spa, lake, river, or ocean," say the experts at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "

Germs in contaminated water can enter your system if you accidentally swallow the water, and can cause infection in your eyes, nose, ears, as well as in cuts and scrapes."Chlorine doesn't always kill off all harmful germs. __"Chlorine does a good job of killing most germs, but it does not sterilize the water," they continue. "A few germs can survive normal pool, hot tub, and spa levels of chlorine for several hours to days. Chlorine must be maintained at proper levels to kill most germs. The high water temperature of hot tubs and spas may cause chlorine to evaporate faster. As a result, chlorine levels in hot tubs and spas need to be checked more regularly than in swimming pools. Remember: even if you can smell the chlorine odor the water is not germ free. Skin infections are the most common infections spread through hot tubs and spas." According to the CDC, "hot tub rash" is a common side effect of hanging out in a dirty hot tub.If you're ever at a frat party, steer clear of the hot tub: I found a fascinating post over at the Medical Informatics Insider blog.

Heather Craven recalls her hot-tubbin' frat party days and writes, "In a recent study by Dr. Rita B. Moyes, a microbiologist at Texas A & M University, nearly all hot tubs house some type of microbial growth. In 95 percent of the tested tubs, bacteria derived from feces were present, while 81 per cent had fungi and 34 per cent contained potentially deadly staphylococcus bacteria. The problems arise when the interior pipes of the spas are not properly maintained or chemically cleaned, and when the jets are operating germs are spewed out into the water. If tubs are routinely cleaned with the correct combination of chemicals, the likelihood for germ growth diminishes. But if I were to ever again be invited to a fraternity party, I would still avoid the hot tubs."A tad disturbing, huh? I'd like to tell you that I'm not going to let this news spoil my fun and that I'm still going to chill out in the Jacuzzi at the gym. But I'll be honest: my hot tub days have long been over (that is, unless I'm soaking in my own personal bathtub--with jets!).