You need JavaScript to view this

The occurrence of legionalla in hot water distribution systems of some Finnish apartment and office buildings

Abstract

A project concerning the effect of water temperature and water quality on the microbiology of hot water distribution systems in Finnish apartment and office buildings was started in 1989. Here we report preliminary results on the occurrence of legionella. Samples were taken from showerpipes and from hot water mains before and after calorifiers of 17 buildings. Water temperature in the showerpipes ranged from 39 to 55 deg. C. Water temperature before calorifiers ranged from 40 to 52 deg. C and after them from 39 to 59 deg. C. Water temperature did not explain well the occurrence of legionalla. Legionalla pneumophila was isolated from six systems. The isolates were serogroups 1, 5 and 6. Legionella concentrations in positive samples ranged from 100 to 350 000 CFU/l. Highest concentrations of legionalla were obtained from showerpipes and hot water mains before calorifiers. Four legionella positive distribution systems were decontaminated by raising the water temperature to 60-70 deg. C and cleaning taps and showerheads, and flushing them twice a day. The numbers of legionellas in the hot water mains fell below detection limit (50 CFU/l) and their numbers also decreased in showerpipes. Decontamination failed in some parts of the distribution systems where water temperature  More>>
Authors:
Zacheus, O M; Kuittinen, M H; Martikainen, P J [1] 
  1. National Public Health Institute, Dept. Environ. Hyg. and Toxicol., Kuopio (FI)
Publication Date:
Jan 01, 1991
Product Type:
Miscellaneous
Report Number:
CONF-9104191-
Reference Number:
DK-91-001598; EDB-91-140141
Resource Relation:
Conference: International symposium on fluids for district heating, Copenhagen (Denmark), 10-11 Apr 1991; Related Information: In: Proceedings of the international symposium on fluids for district heating, by Boehm, B. (ed.), 323 p
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA; WATER UTILITIES; CORROSION; DISTRICT HEATING; ENDOTOXINS; FINLAND; HEALTH HAZARDS; OFFICE BUILDINGS; PURIFICATION; THERMOPHILIC CONDITIONS; WATER QUALITY; ANTIGENS; BACTERIA; BUILDINGS; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY; EUROPE; HAZARDS; HEATING; MATERIALS; MICROORGANISMS; PUBLIC UTILITIES; SCANDINAVIA; TOXIC MATERIALS; TOXINS; 320603* - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Municipalities & Community Systems- Public Utilities- (1980-)
OSTI ID:
5243182
Research Organizations:
Nordisk Ministerraad; Danmarks Tekniske Hoejskole, Lyngby (Denmark). Lab. for Varme- og Klimateknik
Country of Origin:
Denmark
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ISBN: 87-88038-23-8
Availability:
Available on loan from Risoe Library, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
Submitting Site:
DK
Size:
Pages: 317-323; (323 p)
Announcement Date:
May 13, 2001

Citation Formats

Zacheus, O M, Kuittinen, M H, and Martikainen, P J. The occurrence of legionalla in hot water distribution systems of some Finnish apartment and office buildings. Denmark: N. p., 1991. Web.
Zacheus, O M, Kuittinen, M H, & Martikainen, P J. The occurrence of legionalla in hot water distribution systems of some Finnish apartment and office buildings. Denmark.
Zacheus, O M, Kuittinen, M H, and Martikainen, P J. 1991. "The occurrence of legionalla in hot water distribution systems of some Finnish apartment and office buildings." Denmark.
@misc{etde_5243182,
title = {The occurrence of legionalla in hot water distribution systems of some Finnish apartment and office buildings}
author = {Zacheus, O M, Kuittinen, M H, and Martikainen, P J}
abstractNote = {A project concerning the effect of water temperature and water quality on the microbiology of hot water distribution systems in Finnish apartment and office buildings was started in 1989. Here we report preliminary results on the occurrence of legionella. Samples were taken from showerpipes and from hot water mains before and after calorifiers of 17 buildings. Water temperature in the showerpipes ranged from 39 to 55 deg. C. Water temperature before calorifiers ranged from 40 to 52 deg. C and after them from 39 to 59 deg. C. Water temperature did not explain well the occurrence of legionalla. Legionalla pneumophila was isolated from six systems. The isolates were serogroups 1, 5 and 6. Legionella concentrations in positive samples ranged from 100 to 350 000 CFU/l. Highest concentrations of legionalla were obtained from showerpipes and hot water mains before calorifiers. Four legionella positive distribution systems were decontaminated by raising the water temperature to 60-70 deg. C and cleaning taps and showerheads, and flushing them twice a day. The numbers of legionellas in the hot water mains fell below detection limit (50 CFU/l) and their numbers also decreased in showerpipes. Decontamination failed in some parts of the distribution systems where water temperature remained below 60 deg. C. (author) 26 refs.}
place = {Denmark}
year = {1991}
month = {Jan}
}