212 The One About What To Do When Your System Tests Positive For Legionella

Published: Aug. 4, 2022, 5:16 a.m.

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We\\u2019ve talked about what Legionella bacteria is and how to prevent Legionella from developing in your clients\\u2019 systems on previous podcast episodes (see list of episodes below), but what do you do when your building does test positive for Legionella bacteria? Over the past few months, the Scaling Up Nation has submitted dozens of questions on this topic, so on today\\u2019s episode, we\\u2019re answering your questions covering everything from what options to consider when treating Legionella bacteria in your client\\u2019s systems to what the drawbacks those three remediation techniques have; and many more listener-submitted questions during my interview with Dr. Alberto Comazzi.

Alberto Comazzi, Legionella Awareness Month, LegionellaFor those of you who don\\u2019t know Alberto Comazzi, let me introduce you: he is a member of the ASHRAE SSPC 188 committee, AWWA premise plumbing committee, and the AWT pre-treatment committee. Alberto is certified to ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel. The author and co-author of fifteen scientific papers, and the Technical Director at Sanipur US, based in Philadelphia PA, Alberto was the first person I thought to have on the show to answer questions about treating systems positive for Legionella.

Alberto Comazzi has a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Milan, Italy. His research during his academic experience was focused on the study of the stability and the interaction among different chlorine-based water disinfectants. He has presented at over 20 conferences and I cannot tell you how grateful I am to him for coming on the show today!

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Bottom line: Albert knows exactly what you should do when treating a system that tests positive for\\xa0 Legionella bacteria.

Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.\\xa0

\\xa0-Trace\\xa0

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Timestamps:\\xa0

James\\u2019 Challenge: Explain to a non-technical person how an absorption chiller works. [2:20]\\xa0

Introducing Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D. [8:13]

Frequent testing for Legionella\\xa0 [12:59]

The three Legionella remediation options and their drawbacks: Heat and Flush, Filters, Supplemental Disinfectant [14:52]

If a customer requests Supplemental Disinfectant, what should you consider and what questions should you ask so you can develop the right plan for them? [28:05]

Other harmful water pathogens and re-opening buildings after COVID [36:55]

Why should your company get involved with Water Hygiene? [46:47]

What are some unforeseen pitfalls to look out for and your best advice for our water treatment listeners? [50:07]

Lightning round questions [55:25]

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Quotes:

\\u201cThe awareness about Legionella is much higher than it was two years ago for two main reasons: buildings are reopening and public awareness of infections in general.\\u201d -Alberto Comazzi, \\xa0Ph.D.

\\u201cThere isn\\u2019t one silver bullet for water management.\\u201d -Alberto Comazzi, \\xa0Ph.D.

\\u201cYou need to be proactive about testing for Legionella; that\\u2019s the only way to know if your plan is working.\\u201d -Alberto Comazzi, \\xa0Ph.D.

\\u201cA water treatment provider needs to give their customer what they want and be able to do what\\u2019s best for them.\\u201d -Alberto Comazzi, \\xa0Ph.D.

\\u201cWe\\u2019re coming out of COVID and as buildings are re-opening there is definitely an increased awareness about Legionella and other waterborne pathogens from the people outside of the healthcare industry.\\u201d -Alberto Comazzi, \\xa0Ph.D.

\\u201cWhen you do water hygiene, you are helping public health, buildings, and you are saving lives.\\u201d\\xa0 -Alberto Comazzi, \\xa0Ph.D.

\\u201cThe most important reason to do water hygiene is to help public health.\\u201d -Alberto Comazzi, \\xa0Ph.D.

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Connect with Alberto:

Phone: 267-326-2353

Email: a.comazzi@sanipur.it\\xa0

Website: www.sanipur.com\\xa0\\xa0

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alberto-comazzi-132637128/\\xa0

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Links Mentioned:

The Rising Tide Mastermind

AWT (Association of Water Technologies)

Dr. Richard Seligman invented the plate heat exchanger in 1923

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Legionella Episodes:

203 The One With Our Across The Pond Legionella Expert, John Sandford

199 The One About Cooling Towers and Legionella Bacteria

153 The One Where We Answer Your Questions About Legionella

152 The One Where We Talk More About Legionella

151 The One Where We Talk About Legionella

150 The One Where We Talk Legionella Basics

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Water Treatment education

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