Cooling towers, a key component on large buildings, require special
levels of cleaning to control biocontaminants including Legionella,
heterotrophic bacteria, and others. However, poorly maintained towers,
which are often treated with corrosive chemicals, can become ‘super
spreaders’ of Legionnaires’ Disease, an acute bacterial infection of the
lower respiratory tract that is not rare and causes severe
pneumonia.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
potable water is the most frequent source of Legionella exposure, but
cases have been linked to cooling towers. Because it is difficult to
distinguish from other forms of pneumonia, unless specifically
investigated, many cases of Legionnaires’ Disease go undiagnosed and
unreported.In August 2019, the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) reported that the real number of
Legionnaires’ disease cases may be as many as 70,000 cases per year in
the United States.Clean, efficient, and effective treatment of cooling
towers can improve the air quality and reduce the spread of
disease-causing bacteria into the atmosphere. A novel, chemical-free
technology, the Plasma Disinfection System (PDS) uses a combination of
high-temperature plasma streamers, ultraviolet rays, and ozone to reduce
the impact of air- and water-borne bacteria and viruses that can spread
in public spaces through cooling towers.The PDS is a state-of-the-art,
fully-automated, integrated treatment technology for liquids.What makes
PDS solution unique is its combination of three major treatment
technologies: novel plasma (the 4th state of matter) plus two
traditional technologies (biocidal ions and hypochlorite), that work
together to provide continuous reduction and management of Legionella and bacterial growth in water systems. The PDS also reduces the use of corrosive chemicals, thereby vastly extending the life and warranty life of costly mechanical equipment.Public health organizations in the United States and worldwide have expressed concerns over the risks for Legionnaire’s Disease and other respiratory infections due to poor management of cooling towers. Private industry has responded by publishing guidance for water management programs.In June 2017, the CDC published a toolkit for businesses on "Developing a Water Management Program to Reduce Legionella Growth & Spread in Buildings;" the toolkit stated that "legionella water management programs are now an industry standard for large.
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