The use of elemental copper has been banned as a biocide, particularly for legionella control, following a review by the EU under the Biocidal Products Directive.
From 1 February, it will be illegal to market or use elemental copper as a biocide in water treatment systems or to supply the copper needed for their use. The action has been taken at EU level because no manufacturer supported biocidal use of elemental copper during a review period that ended in September 2011.
However, HSE is applying to the European Commission for an 'essential use derogation' to allow for the continued use of copper in legionella control systems within the UK. Until the outcome of its application is known, HSE says its primary concern is that legionella control is not compromised and it will take 'a sensible and proportionate approach to enforcement if we come across these systems after 1 February 2013'.
HSE says 'the focus of any enforcement activity will be on the failure to control the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria and the likelihood of legionnaire's disease developing in a given situation'.
In addition, it emphasises that businesses and organisations still have a responsibility to manage the risks from legionella and 'it is essential that they continue to meet these duties'.
In the meantime, property managers responsible for public buildings are being forced to carry out urgent reviews and source alternative water treatments.
Bob Wilson, principal of Meadowhead Consultancy, a leading independent expert on the efficacy of anti-legionella treatments, has been examining the options available to building managers. 'From owners of apartments, office blocks, shopping centres to hospitals, hotels, schools, factories and sports arenas, facilities managers of these premises must take action immediately.'
He said: 'L8, the legislation and Approved Code of Practice for the control of Legionella, only mentions two possibilities for continuous dosing of building water system. These are firstly, chlorine dioxide and secondly, copper/silver ionization. The demise of copper/silver ionisation suggests that chlorine dioxide is the only viable alternative.'
'Chlorine dioxide is a toxic gas which must be produced by mixing two chemicals. The gas is then introduced into the water system. This requires expensive dosing equipment to ensure this is done safely. Chlorine dioxide is known to be corrosive, and long term dosing will result in an increased maintenance spend. The product gases off in calorifiers, resulting in inadequate treatment and possible legionella proliferation,' he added.
Mr Wilson concludes: 'As silver may be added to the water, the best treatment is probably one that combines hydrogen peroxide and activated silver such as EndoSan. This was used at the London 2012 Olympics, instead of chlorine, to disinfect athletes' ice baths, therapy, treatment and training pools. It is also widely used for one-off disinfections and increasingly, as a continuous dose chemical.'
Phil Buchanan, managing director of Endo Enterprises, the company that produces EndoSan, said: 'Following risk assessment in compliance with L8, many water treatment facilities, estates management groups, and health care operators, utilise EndoSan and our Constant Dosing system as the preferred method of legionella control, throughout the UK.'
For more information on the biocidal use of elemental copper visit
http://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/index.htm
Visit
http://endoenterprises.com/index.php/facilities-management/ for more information about EndoSan
