Effects of metals on Legionella pneumophila growth in drinking water plumbing systems

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5801476

States, S J; Conley, L F; Ceraso, M; Stephenson, T E; Wolford, R S; Wadowsky, R M; McNamara, A M; Yee, R B

Water samples were collected from hospital and institutional hot-water tanks known to have supported L. pneumophila and were analyzed for 23 chemical parameters. The chemical environment of these tanks was found to vary extensively, with the concentrations of certain metals reaching relatively high levels due to corrosion. The effect of various chemical conditions on L. pneumophila growth was then examined by observing its multiplication in a series of tap water samples artificially supplemented with various concentrations of metals. Additionally, growth of L. pneumophila was examined in a more natural setting by monitoring its multiplication in the chemically analyzed hot-water tank samples after sterilization and reinoculation with L. pneumophila. L. Pneumophila and associated microbiota used in these experiments were obtained from a hot-water tank. These strains were maintained in tap water and had never been passaged on agar. The results of the growth studies indicate that although elevated concentrations of a number of metals are toxic, lower levels of certain metals such as iron, zinc, and potassium enhance growth of naturally occurring L. pneumophila. Parallel observations on accompanying non-Legionellaceae bacteria failed to show the same relationship. These findings suggest that metal plumbing components and associated corrosion products are important factors in the survival and growth of L. pneumophila in plumbing systems and may also be important in related habitats such as cooling towers and air-conditioning systems. 1 figure, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: City of Pittsburgh Water Dept., PA
• OSTI ID: 5801476
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 50:5; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

552000 -- Public Health
560302* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ALKALI METALS
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CONTAMINATION
COOLING TOWERS
CORROSION PRODUCTS
DRINKING WATER
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IRON
LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUMBING
POTASSIUM
TOWERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER
WATER SUPPLY
ZINC