Full Description

Legionella pneumophila in water distribution systems has been epidemiologically linked to both hospital-acquired and community-acquired Legionnaires' diseases. Copper/silver ionization is a new approach that is being used to eradicate Legionella pneumophila in a hospital hot water recirculating system. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of individual copper and silver ions in eradicating Legionella pneumophila as well as synergism between the two metallic ions. Experimental results showed that L. pneumophila was completely inactivated at copper concentration of 0.1 mg/L within 2.5 hours. Meanwhile, more than 24 hours was required to completely eradicate L. pneumophila at the highest silver ion concentration (0.8 mg/L) tested. Synergism of copper and silver ions in eradicating L. pneumophila was observed at concentrations of 0.04 and 0.04 mg/L respectively. Therefore, one good approach for the control of L. pneumophila in water distribution systems is to initiate copper/silver ion concentrations at high levels to achieve complete eradication of L. pneumophila existing in the water distribution system followed by a lower residual protection as a maintenance level against L. pneumophila in the incoming water.

Product Details

Published: 01/01/1995 ISBN(s): 0898678331 Number of Pages: 10File Size: 1 file , 560 KB