Author Identifier

Crystal Kennett

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8612-8704

Date of Award

2022

Keywords

Legionella pneumophila, risk assessment, cooling towers, Legionella

Document Type

Thesis - ECU Access Only

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Master of Medical and Health Science by Research

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

First Supervisor

Jacques Oosthuizen

Second Supervisor

Edmore Masaka

Abstract

Legionella pneumophila is a naturally occurring pathogen that has been associated with several outbreaks of a pneumonic disease, Legionellosis. Inhalation of water aerosols contaminated with this pathogen and released from engineered water systems including cooling towers has been linked to some community outbreaks of this disease. The number of cooling towers in Perth was unknown, making it impossible to evaluate the extent of the L. pneumophila risk that may be posed by these cooling water systems.

A survey of cooling towers located in Perth to was conducted to determine their number and distribution. Cooling towers were mapped using three different categories which was graphically represented.

Satellite images were used to assess five local governments in the Perth Metropolitan area. These councils were purposively selected as they were deemed to have a high number of cooling towers based on the density of institutional, commercial, and industrial. Human case data of Legionellosis was obtained from the Western Australia Department of Health’s internal database and these data were also mapped to demonstrate the spread of cases across metropolitan Perth.

A literature review was conducted to determine the legislative framework used for the management of cooling towers in the United State of America, United Kingdom, New Zealand and other Australian States and Territories.

It was found that the number of cooling towers located in metropolitan Perth is significantly underestimated, and that the rate of all cases of L. pneumophila infection is the same as for other major capital cities around Australia. The research also indicated the need for further research to investigate if the reported Legionellosis cases in the city are associated with cooling tower proximity to where the human cases live or work. Furthermore, the results indicate that the implementation of the existing legislation to manage cooling towers is inadequate and calls for a comprehensive regulatory reform to bring WA into line with the rest of Australia.

Comments

Author also known as Crystal E Wilkinson Kennett

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