Preventing legionella pneumophila in a variety of aquatic environments
Legionella pneumophila is commonly found in a wide variety of aquatic environments including both natural bodies of water and manmade water systems such as industrial cooling water systems.
Legionella pneumophila is an ubiquitous aquatic organism that thrives in warm environments (32°C to 45°C) and causes more than 90% of Legionnaires’ disease cases in the United States. Cooling towers, showers, spas, pools, faucets and potable water systems that circulate contaminated water are capable of producing a potentially lethal aerosol.
The elevated water temperature, moisture, increased oxygen tension, and nutrients provide a favorable environment for the growth of microorganisms including L. pneumophila in industrial cooling water systems. These conditions promote the development of complex biofilm communities in which L. pneumophila may survive, grow and multiply.