LEGIONELLA CONTROL..
International are leading providers of professional legionella control, prevention and associated environmental hygiene and risk management services to organisations and individuals around the world. Through our commitment to research, innovation, technology and service excellence we are able to deliver significant benefits to our clients across a wide range of commercial, industrial, healthcare, governmental and non-profit sectors.
CONTROL OF LEGIONELLA:
...niCole caStrence...1 Legionella is the genus of bacteria, which gives rise to the risk of infection from diseases, collectively known as legionellosis. These consist of both pneumonias and non-pneumonic varieties. The species Legionella pneumophila presents the most serious hazard, which is mainly, but not solely, responsible for causing legionnaires' disease. This is a pneumonia which has serious effects and is fatal in 10-12% of cases. Legionella is widespread in both natural water sources and artificial water systems. It proliferates where temperatures are favourable (20-450C), nutrients available and water is stagnant or recirculates. Infection can then occur by the inhalation of aerosols or particles generated from the source.
2 Water systems incorporating cooling towers and evaporative condensers (henceforth referred to as wet cooling systems) pose particular problems in relation to the management of the risk. This is because their mode of operation can both produce ideal conditions for microbial growth and deliberately create sprays and aerosols, which can be dispersed over a wide area if not controlled properly. Those at risk of exposure include not only those who work in the premises where they are installed, but also others in the vicinity, including members of the public.
3 On average there are approximately 200-250 reported cases of legionnaires' disease each year in the UK, of which about half are associated with travel abroad. The other half are primarily associated with infection from wet cooling or hot and cold water systems, but other types of water systems have been implicated, while in many cases the source is never identified.
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