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Is copper-silver ionisation safe and effective in controlling legionella?
S Perez Cachafeiro1, I Mato Naveira, I González García
1Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment, A Coruña, Spain. santiago@cachafeiro.org
The Journal of Hospital Infection
|October 2, 2007
Summary
Copper-silver ionization effectively controls Legionella in water systems, reducing bacteria levels. This water disinfection method is safe when ion levels are monitored, but eradication requires combined approaches.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Copper-silver ionization is increasingly used for water disinfection globally.
- Legionella bacteria in water distribution systems pose significant health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the effectiveness and safety of copper-silver ionization for Legionella control.
- To assess the method's efficacy in water distribution systems based on available studies.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted in major health databases from January 1997 to January 2007.
- Ten experimental studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria were selected for analysis.
Main Results:
- Copper-silver ionization demonstrated a reduction in Legionella levels across all reviewed studies.
- Combining ionization procedures can enhance effectiveness; maintaining high water temperatures optimizes results.
- No studies included economic evaluations of the method.
Conclusions:
- Copper-silver ionization is an effective strategy for managing Legionella, though complete eradication is unlikely with any single method.
- The method is considered safe if ion concentrations are monitored and adhere to international standards.
- Further research with control groups, extended follow-up, and economic assessments is recommended.
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