Visualise the video that explains how a cooling tower system can get contaminated with the Legionella bacteria!
(click on the bottom right hand side square of the video to view in full screen mode)
What is Legionella?
Legionella is the cause of Legionnaire’s disease being an infection of the respiratory tract. A mandatory declaration disease, it is a serious form of pneumopathy which leads to death in approximately 15% of all cases.
Known symptoms are high fever, dry cough, muscle aches, digestive trouble and mental confusion. Incubation normally last between 2 and 10 days. The disease is contracted when contaminated water in an aerosol form is inhaled thus transporting the bacteria to the lungs. OSHA estimates that the illness is responsible for 4000 deaths each year in the United States.
Three conditions must be met for the infection to occur:
Contaminated water containing Legionella
Dispersion of contaminated water as an aerosol (fine mist)
Inhalation or aspiration of the aerosol
Where does it come from ?
The sources of contamination are installations that promote Legionella’s multiplication and its dispersion into the environment as a fine mist. These characteristics are found in all domestic hot water networks and cooling systems such as:
Showers
Cooling towers
Decorative fountains
Whirlpool baths
Humidifiers, atomizers
Medical equipment generating
aerosols
Who is at risk ?
This illness mostly affects predisposed individuals showing risk factors such as old age, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, immunodefi ciency illness, participation in immunodepressant treatments, smoking or alcoholism.
How can you prevent it ?
Legionella prevention implies a combination of different pro-active strategies such as:
Preventing biofilm, corrosion and scale formation by optimizing your water treatment program
Performing regular validation of the performance of your water treatment program using physico-chemical and microbiological indicators
Implementing and maintaining regular Legionella testing practices using a quick and reliable detection method such as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology
Implement quick-response action plans in case of a Legionella outbreak
We have a plan!
Magnus has established a clear policy as to its resposibilities towards Legionella prevention and has developed an exclusive and innovative detection and risk minimization program for cooling towers and domestic hot water distribution networks using the latest technologies for biofilm removal and control such as NSF certified Huwa-San hydrogen peroxide. Contact your local technical representative for more details on how we can help you take control of Legionella!
Magnus has established a clear