DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:43:36 -0700
Reply-To: Gordon Miller <miller22**At_Symbol_Here**LLNL.GOV>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Gordon Miller <miller22**At_Symbol_Here**LLNL.GOV>
Subject: Cooling Towers
I apologize for the long delay.
The water circulated in these is treated with algicides and
fungicides. The algicides I was aware of weren't particularly bad,
but the fungicides were something else.
It would be worth checking the MSDS for the water treatment chemicals in use.
I'm not sure if somebody raised it, but the biota in the sludge could
harbor Legionella. The bacteria grow in and are protected from our
countermeasures by protozoa, fungi, etc. The sludge should NOT be
sprayed out, unless wearing "Level B" clothing and a full-facepiece
respirator with P100 cartridges plus de-mister stages or some kind of
supplied air respirator. The mask will protect the worker from mucosa
entries as well as inhalation. Proper doffing practices will be
essential so the workers don't rub Legionella organisms into their
eye mucosa.
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