EFFICACY OF SOFT ELECTROLYZED WATER IN ERADICATING LEGIONELLA IN CONTAMINATING WATER

摘要

Legionella, a genus of gram-negative bacteria that cause respiratory infections, thrives in the water of air handling systems. To prevent infections by it, it is necessary to suppress its growth in reservoirs at risk for contamination with Legionella. We evaluated the effectiveness of soft electrolyzed water in preventing growth of Legionella. The microbicidal rate of 99% for 2.69 x 10~4 coulomb was observed. Soft electrolyzed water containing activated oxygen species and hypochlorous acid is a colorless solution generated by the electrolysis of tap water, has no harmful chemical by-products, as do biocidal agents, and is simple to use. Soft electrolyzed water should be useful for disinfection of water contaminated with Legionella.