LEGIONELLA - World Health Organization
LEGIONELLA - World Health Organization
LEGIONELLA - World Health Organization
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Method Advantages D sadvantages<br />
Dosing with<br />
hydrogen peroxide<br />
Copper and<br />
silver ionization<br />
• Simple to use • Weak disinfectant<br />
• Effective when<br />
prescribed concentrations<br />
are maintained<br />
Anodic oxidation • Disinfection<br />
demonstrated<br />
UV (ultraviolet)<br />
disinfection<br />
Ultrafiltration at point<br />
of entry to the building<br />
or system<br />
• Proven disinfection<br />
technique<br />
• Simple to use<br />
• Physical disinfection<br />
barrier<br />
• Effective removal of<br />
biomass and particles<br />
Point-of-use filters • Physical barrier<br />
Pasteurization heat<br />
with flushing<br />
• Easy to install (may<br />
require some modification<br />
of the outlet)<br />
• Suitable for hot and<br />
cold-water systems<br />
• Good for use in systems<br />
exposing high-risk patients<br />
• Disinfection barrier<br />
• Useful as short-term<br />
remedial measure<br />
• Simple to apply in<br />
hot-water installation<br />
Non-oxidizing biocides • Proven technique for<br />
cooling systems<br />
<strong>LEGIONELLA</strong> AND THE PREVENTION OF LEGIONELLOSIS<br />
• Suspected of mutagenicity<br />
• Frequent monitoring of copper<br />
and silver needed<br />
• Pretreatment needed (pH, hardness)<br />
• Increased concentrations of copper<br />
and silver in water<br />
• Pretreatment needed (depending<br />
on effect of pH and hardness)<br />
• Effect on Legionella in biofilms not known<br />
• Effective only at point of application;<br />
no control downstream (no residual)<br />
• Not suitable for turbid waters<br />
• No effect on biofilm formation<br />
• No inactivation of Legionella<br />
downstream of the filter within<br />
system<br />
• Effect on formation of biofilms<br />
and sediment not known<br />
• Only suitable at point of use<br />
• Must be replaced regularly<br />
• Particulates in water may reduce<br />
flow and operational life<br />
• Expensive<br />
• Transient effect on Legionella<br />
• No limitation of biofilm formation<br />
• Scalding risk<br />
• Not suitable for potable water systems<br />
• Most not applicable to spa pools<br />
• Resistant populations may develop<br />
• Need to alternate two different biocides<br />
• Often concentrations cannot be<br />
readily monitored<br />
• Difficult to neutralize for sampling<br />
purposes<br />
Note: No indication of costs is given because costs depend on many local factors, including the complexity of the<br />
system involved.
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