Are you concerned about water quality, corrosion, scaling or Legionella?
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Magnus’ analytical facilities include spacious, state-of-the-art laboratories for microbiological analysis and research and development. They are located at the company’s head office and are independent from other laboratory firms.
Magnus provides a full range of analysis services:
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Water analysis
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Deposit analysis
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Cleaning simulations (descaling, degreasing and derusting) and biocide performance simulations
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Metallurgy
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Legionella detection through DNA and culture analysis
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Performance follow-up for treatment programs to combat corrosion, scaling and microbial growth
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Research and development
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Legionella analysis through culture or DNA sampling
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Analytical services to identify Legionella and its concentrations in water samples
The growth of Legionella pneumophila in cooling systems is a complex issue because it can be associated with several factors, including faulty operating conditions, poor water circulation and inadequate temperature regulation. Lack of maintenance and the presence of scale, corrosion or biofilm residues can also stimulate the growth of microorganisms.
Treating Legionella involves using biocides that have proven effective against bacteria, algae and protozoa, while simultaneously targeting the main factors that promote their growth. This means preventing biofilm formation as well as corrosion and scaling. The treatments must be optimized regularly by monitoring several physiochemical and microbiological indicators, as well as verifying their performance. These indicators provide relevant information regarding the level of treatment control, but there is no direct correlation with Legionella concentrations, so they must be measured.
Since the infectious doses are not well known, maintaining low levels of Legionella in facilities for at-risk individuals is the best way to minimize the threat of Legionella.
To effectively manage high-risk facilities, increased monitoring is essential to enable rapid response in the event of Legionella growth. The detection of Legionella bacteria must be carried out in a certified laboratory using specific, standardized methods. Depending on the circumstances, a method by DNA analysis or by growth on culture medium is best.
The DNA analysis method can detect or measure a Legionella population in water or biofilm. This method provides a result within 24 to 48 hours. Consequently, it is an extremely powerful tool for rapid detection and response, making it easier to apply disinfection procedures and limit exposure in the event of proliferation.
The growth on culture medium is based on growing the bacteria on agars with several different treatment types. The bacteria on the cultures can be accurately counted after an incubation period of about 14 days. This method provides a more precise picture of the viability and virulence of the bacteria, which may in some cases provide important clinical information.
Sample Analysis
Service
Highest
Accreditation Standards
ELITE PROGRAM - PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATION
For testing Legionella in their laboratories, Magnus has proficiency certification from the ELITE Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) in the United States.
Although Legionella bacteria live in a wide variety of freshwater habitats, they are difficult to isolate. An appropriate isolation protocol is critical in determining whether Legionella is present in a sample and at what concentration. The ELITE program was created as a tool for laboratories to test their Legionella isolation techniques against standardized samples.
The ELITE program certifies laboratories in the isolation of Legionella from water samples. Laboratories that do this properly receive a certificate of proficiency indicating that their procedures comply with federal recommendations and meet or exceed industry standards for Legionella isolation.*
*Information taken from the CDC website.
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ACCREDITATION PROGRAM FOR ANALYSIS LABORATORIES
Our analysis laboratory is accredited by the Ministry of Environment, Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife, and Parks of Quebec under the accreditation program, including ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Standard for domain 606. This accreditation allows us to offer you the services of our analysis laboratories for Legionella bacteria detection, as required by the regulations of the Quebec Building Board (RBQ) for water cooling towers.
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By performing this detection directly in the analysis laboratory, we are able to support you more effectively in your water cooling tower maintenance programs, in accordance with RBQ regulatory requirements.
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The Legionella pneumophila bacteria detection and enumeration analysis must be carried out using a standardized and specific method involving growth on culture medium. This should be done during the restart of a cooling tower after the winter period, at maximum intervals of 30 days during the operational period, and after an emergency decontamination resulting from the detection of a count exceeding 1,000,000 CFU/L of Legionella pneumophila.