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Showers and Legionnaire’s disease

Showers, and in particular, showerheads, are a weak point in a water system and should have special attention. Showers usually operate in the region of 37ÂșC which is blood temperature and therefore attractive to water borne bacteria and in reality the Legionnaire’s disease bacterium, Legionella Pneumophila. This bacterium, should it be present, has a warm environment in which to multiply and when the shower is switched off, residual warm water remains in the showerhead. It must be remembered that the Legionella bacterium can multiply at twice the rate of the average bacterium.

If the showerhead is “scaled up” then Legionella can exist under the scale. It can not be emphasised enough that if bleach is used in an attempt to sanitise the showerhead, it may well kill surface bacteria but it will not kill any bacteria under the scale. The scale must be removed with a weak acid (to limit damage to the metal parts), followed by a biocide to kill the bacteria.

We sell a suitable chemical “showerhead cleaner” which is an acid and biocide combined. It is simple and economical to use. Please ask for an information sheet.

Posted at April 4, 2014 | By : | Categories : Blog
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