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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