Contamination of public whirlpool spas: factors associated with the presence of Legionella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli
This work explores the factors associated with contamination of public spas by Legionella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters were measured in water samples from 95 spas inQuébec, Canada. Spa maintenance
was documented by a questionnaire. Legionella spp. were detected in 23% of spas, P. aeruginosa in 41% and E. coli in 2%. Bacteria were found in concerning concentrations (Legionella spp. ≥ 500 CFU/l, P. aeruginosa ≥ 51 CFU/100 ml
or E. coli ≥ 1 CFU/100 ml) in 26% ofspas. Observed physicochemical parameters frequently differed from recommended guidelines. The following factors decreased the prevalence of concerning microbial contamination: a free chlorine concentration ≥ 2 mg/l or total
bromine ≥ 3 mg/l (p = 0.001), an oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) > 650 mV (p = 0.001), emptying and cleaning the spa at least monthly (p = 0.019) and a turbidity ≤ 1 NTU (p = 0.013).
Proper regulations and training of spa operators are critical for better maintenance of these increasingly popular facilities.
Keywords: Legionella spp; Legionnaires' disease; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; hot tubs; whirlpool spas
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada 2: Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada 3: Divisiondes laboratoires du Service de l'environnement de la Ville de Québec, Québec, QC, Canada 4: Centre universitaire de formation en environnement (CUFE), Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke,QC, Canada
Publication date: 01 February 2013
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