Hot water heater
The authors concluded that drinking water distribution systems were a significant source of transmission of Legionnaires’ disease ( 7). This included three private homes (one single dwelling, two multidwellings), two senior-citizen homes, two out-patient hospital clinics, and one industrial plant. A link with residential drinking water contamination was established for eight (40%) patients. These findings are supported by Stout et al ( 7) in a study of 20 Pittsburgh patients with culture-confirmed Legionnaires’ disease. However, in a case-control study of sporadic cases of community-acquired legionellosis, Straus et al ( 6) concluded that the residential drinking water supply was responsible for a substantial proportion of sporadic cases of Legionnaires’ disease. The clinical and epidemiological significance of this finding is much debated. The authors concluded that, because of design variables, use of an electric water heater was the most significant factor leading to Legionella contamination in hot water ( 5) in the home. No water heaters using fossil fuels were contaminated ( 5). In Quebec, a study of 211 homes (178 electric water heaters, 33 oil or gas water heaters) found Legionella contamination in 40% of electric water heaters. Although we support prevention against tap water scalds, we are against setting water heater thermostats at 49☌ because we believe this could facilitate proliferation of Legionella inside the tank and increase the risk of legionellosis.ĭomestic water heaters, particularly electric devices, can certainly be contaminated by Legionella. Primary groups at risk (the elderly, smokers, the immunocompromised and patients suffering from chronic respiratory illnesses), are groups who include a large proportion of the population at home. This is a serious illness associated with high death rates (up to 12%). Like other authors ( 3, 4), including the World Health Organization (WHO) who published a recent monograph on the Legionella problem in drinking water ( 3), we believe that there is evidence for the transmission of legionellosis through the drinking water distribution systems in private homes. Among the means considered to reach this objective, Safe Kids Canada, with the support of some public health organizations, suggests and seems to favour lowering the temperature setting of domestic hot water heaters to 49☌. Scalding by lowering domestic hot water temperature to 49☌ at the tap ( 2). A few months ago, Safe Kids Canada launched a media campaign aimed at preventing
In 1986, this dilemma was the subject of an editorial in the Canadian
Inside domestic water heaters exposure to Legionella, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease (pulmonary legionellosis), and the risk of scalding. It does not store any personal data.There are two opposing risks when it comes to water temperature The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.