Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Efficacy of bromochlorodimethylhydantoin againstLegionella pneumophila in industrial cooling water

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Industrial Microbiology

Summary

Free residual chlorine and bromine can be generated in water from bromochlorodimethylhydantoin (BCDMH). Efficacy of chlorine from inorganic sources has been studied extensively, but there is much less information on the efficacy of bromine againstL. pneumophila; only a few efficacy studies of organically-derived. halogen appear in the literature and the results from different studies conflict or are difficult to interpret. This paper describes the efficacy of halogen from BCDMH against planktonic, pure cultureL. pneumophila in an industrial cooling water. There was no difference in efficacy between halogen derived from organic or inorganic sources in controlled laboratory experiments. Effective doses in laboratory studies cannot be translated directly to field applications because of significant differences in the microbiology. However, the data suggest that disinfection (>99.9% reduction in viability within 10 min) of planktonic, pure cultureL. pneumophila can be achieved with about 1 ppm free residual halogen (expressed as chlorine) from BCDMH in a typical industrial cooling water.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alleman, J.E., J.E. Etzel, E.J. Kirsch, J.C. Conley, and W.F. McCoy. 1987. Chlorine and bromine based disinfection of wastewater effluent. Wate reuse symposium IV of the Am. Water Works Assoc., August 1987.

  2. Baird, I.M., W. Potts, J. Smiley, N. Click, S. Schleich, C. Connole, and K. Davison. 1984. Control of endemic nosocomial Legionellosis by hyperchlorination of potable water, p. 333. In: (Thornsberry, C., A. Balows, J.C. Feeley, and W. Jakubowski, eds.);Legionella: Proceedings of the 2nd Intl. Symp., Am. Soc. Microbiol., Washington, D.C.

  3. Cherry, W.B., B. Pitmanm, P.P. Harris, G.A. Herbert, B.M. Thomason, L. Thacker, and R.E. Weaver. 1978. Detection of Legionnaires' bacterium by direct immunofluorescent staining. J. Clinical Microbiol. 8: 329–338.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Colbourne, J.S., P.J. Dennis, J.V. Lee, and M.R. Bailey. 1987. Legionnaires' disease: reduction in risks associated with foaming in evaporative cooling towers. The Lancet, No. 8534, p. 684.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Conley, J.C. and E.H. Puzig. 1987. Bromine chemistry, an alternative to dechlorination. Condenser Technology Symposium of the Electric Power Research Institute. Paper No. 38.

  6. Conley, J.C., E.H. Puzig, and J.E. Alleman. 1987. Bromine chemistry: an alternative to dechlorination in cooling water and wastewater disinfection. 48th Annual Meeting of the International Water Conference., November 1987, Paper No. IWC-87-42. Pittsburg, PA.

  7. Edelstein, P.H. 1985. Environmental aspects ofLegionella. ASM News. 50(9): 460–467.

    Google Scholar 

  8. England, A.C., D.W. Fraser, G.F. Mallison, D.C. Mackel, P. Skaliy, and G.W. Gorman. 1982. Failure ofLegionella pneumophila sensitivites to predict culture results from disinfectant-treated air-conditioning cooling towers. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 43: 240–244.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Farkas-Himsley, H. 1966. Disinfection, pp. 554–562, In: (Jolles, Z.E. ed.) Bromine and its compounds, Ernest Benn Ltd., London.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Fellers, B.D., Flock, E.L., and J.C. Conley. 1988. Bromine replaces chlorine in cooling-water treatment. Power. June, 1988, pp. 15–20.

  11. Fliermans, C.B. and R.S. Harvey. 1984. Effectiveness of 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin againstLegionella pneumophila in a cooling tower. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 47: 1307–1310.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Fliermans, C.B., G.E. Bettinger, and A.W. Fynsk. 1982. Treatment of cooling systems containing high levels ofLegionella pneumophila. Water Res. 16: 903–909.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kozelski, K.J. 1983. Field experience with a simple cooling water biofilm monitoring device. International Water Conference, Paper No. IWC-83-46, Pittsburgh, PA.

  14. Kuchta, J.M., S.J. States, J.E. McGlaughlin, J.H. Overmeyer, R.M. Wadowsky, A.M. McNamara, R.S. Wolford, and R.B. Yee. 1985. Enhanced chlorine resistance of tap water-adaptedLegionella pneumophila as compared with agar medium-passaged strains. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 50: 21–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kurtz, J.B. and V. Davis, 1988. Efficacy of bromine biocide in cooling-water systems. The Lancet, No. 8580, p. 304.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Massanari, R.M., C. Helms, R. Zeitler, S. Streed, M. Gilchrist, N. Hall, W. Hausler, W. Johnson, L. Wintermeyer, J.S. Muhs, and W.J. Hierholzer. 1984. Continuous hyperchlorination of a potable water system for control of nosocomialLegionella pneumophila infections, pp. 334–336, In: (Thornsberry, C., A. Balows, J.C. Feeley, and W. Jakubowski, eds.),Legionella: Proceedings of the 2nd Intl. Symp., Am. Soc. Microbiol., Washington, DC.

  17. Matson, J.V. and W.G. Characklis. 1982. Biofouling control in recycled cooling water with bromochlorodimethylhydantoin. Paper No. TP-250A, Cooling Tower Institue, Houston, TX.

    Google Scholar 

  18. McCoy, W.F. 1987. Strategies for the treatment of biological fouling, pp. 247–268, In: (Mittleman, M.W. and G.G. Geesey, eds.), Biological fouling of industrial water systems: A problem solving approach, National association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE), Houston, TX.

    Google Scholar 

  19. McCoy, W.F., J.W. Wireman, and E.S. Lashen. 1986. Efficacy of methylchloro/methylisothiazolone biocide againstLegionella pneumophila in cooling tower water. J. Ind. Microbiol. 1: 49–56.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Morton, S., C.L.R. Bartlett, L.F. Bibby, D.N. Hutchinson, J.V. Dyer, and P.J. Dennis. 1986. Outbreak of legionnaires' disease from a cooling water system in a power station. Br. J. Ind. Med. 43: 630–635.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Muraca, P., J.E. Stout, and V.L. Yu. 1987. Comparative assessment of chlorine, heat, ozone, and UV light for killingLegionella pneumophila within a model plumbing system. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 53: 447–453.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Neblett, T.R. 1976. Use of droplet plating method and cystine-lactose electrolyte-deficient medium in routine quantitative urine culturing procedure. J. Clin. Microbiol. 4: 296–305.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Sergent, R.H. 1986. Enhanced water management using bromine chemistry. Paper No. TP-86-9, Cooling Tower Institute, Houston, TX.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Skaliy, P., T.A. Thompson, G.W. Gorman, G.K. Morris, H.V. McEachern, and D.C. Mackel. 1980. Laboratory studies of disinfectants againstLegionella pneumophila. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 40: 697–700.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Soracco, R.J., H.K. Gill, C.B. Fliermans, and D.H. Pope. 1983. Susceptibilities of algae andLegionella pneumophila to cooling tower biocides. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 45: 1254–1260.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Squires, G.E. 1988. Automated feed systems using ORP readings of free halogen. Corrosion '88, National Association of Corrosion Engineers, Paper No. 20.

  27. States, S.J., L.F. Conley, J.M. Kuchta, B.M. Oleck, M.J. Lipovich, R.S. Wolford, R.M. Wadowsky, A.M. McNamara, J.L. Sykora, G. Keleti, and R.B. Yee. 1987. Survival and multiplication ofLegionella pneumophila in municipal drinking water systems. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 53: 979–986.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Tuovinen, O.H., L. Voss, D.M. Mair, A. Bakaletz, and M.S. Rheins. 1986. Survival ofLegionella pneumophila under different disinfectant and physical conditions. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 33: 9–13.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Wadowsky, R.M. and R.B. Yee. 1985. Effect of non-Legionellaceae bacteria on the multiplication ofLegionella pneumophila in potable water. Appl., Environ. Microbiol. 49: 1206–1210.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Witherell, L.E., L.A. Orciari, K.C. Spitalny, R.A. Pelletier, K.M. Stone, and R.L. Vogt. 1984. Disinfection ofLegionella pneumophila-contaminated whirlpool spas, pp. 339–340, In: (Thornsberry, C., A. Balows, J.C. Feeley, and W. Jakubowski, eds.),Legionella; Proceedings of the 2nd Intl. Symp., Am. Soc. Microbiol., Washington, DC.

  31. Witherell, L.E., L.A. Orciari, R.W. Duncan, K.M. Stone, and J.M. Lawson. 1984. Disinfection of hospital hot water systems containingLegionella pneumophila, pp. 336–337, In: (Thornsberry, C., A. Balows, J. C. Feeley, and W. Jakubowski, eds.),Legionella: Proceedings of the 2nd Intl. Symp., Am. Soc. Microbiol., Washington, DC.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, P.O. Box 2200, 47906, West Lafayette, IN, U.S.A.

    William F. McCoy

  2. Biological Research Solutions, Inc., Metropolitan Center for High Technology, Detroit, MI, U.S.A.

    John W. Wireman

Authors
  1. William F. McCoy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John W. Wireman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McCoy, W.F., Wireman, J.W. Efficacy of bromochlorodimethylhydantoin againstLegionella pneumophila in industrial cooling water. Journal of Industrial Microbiology 4, 403–408 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01569635

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01569635

Key words

Search

Navigation