By Bob Baker

On several occasions recently, I have been asked if I am concerned about the ability of our products to cope with the "Super Bugs" of the future. Each time I have been asked this, my response has been an emphatic, "No!" Why can I be so confident? Do I have a special connection to the Psychic Friends Network? No, my confidence rises from the fact that we are dealing effectively with the "Super Bugs" of today.

What are Super Bugs?

A so-called super bug, is a bacterium, virus, or fungi that appears to have a greater resistance to being killed that other like organisms. Such organisms have been observed since Antibiotics have been utilized in the 1940's. Antibiotic drugs have truly been a boon to mankind. They were developed and first placed into use during the Second World War. Before they were available. Preventing infections during and following surgery was a huge challenge. Operating and patient rooms were scrubbed constantly with strong germicides. Instruments had to be carefully handled so they would not pick up contamination prior to use. Still, massive infections often caused more death and injury than the wound or illness that was being treated. Antibiotic drugs either prevented these infections if given prior to surgery or quickly cured them.

Shortly after the introduction of antibiotics, physicians began to notice that some infections were not cleared up by the drugs they normally used. Scientists discovered that the organisms were changing slightly and the new "Bugs" were resistant to being controlled by the existing antibiotics. Drug manufacturers responded by developing and placing on the market new and more powerful products. That process has continued for the past 40 years.

During the 1980's, researchers began to notice that some of the new organisms that were showing up were unusually resistant to any formula they could produce. Some labeled the new strains Super Bugs and began to express concern that some day we would not be able to produce any drug that could effectively deal with the new organisms.

What does this have to do with HVAC systems?

As we have come to better understand the nature and causes of IAQ problems, more and more technicians have come to include antimicrobial products as part of the tools that they use to maintain good air quality for their customers. When cleaning up air conditioning systems, technicians often come into contact with massive growths of bacteria, and/or fungi on surfaces within the equipment and in condensate drain pans. After cleaning the contamination, many have adopted a practice of spraying the surfaces in an attempt to retard future growth. In addition, where gross contamination exists some feel safer if they use a disinfectant to kill the growths off before working on the equipment. At a major conference on the Indoor Environment that was held in Washington recently, several speakers expressed concerns that the increasing use of Antimicrobials will lead to a race of "super bugs" that will be resistant to disinfectants and sanitizers and that will destroy buildings. These suggestions have caused quite a lot of confusion.

As we come to rely on such products more and more, it seems valuable to seek answers to the questions being posed:

Will organisms found in HVAC systems become resistant?

By using Antimicrobials, are we risking producing a race of super bugs that will do even more damage than the ones we face today?

Resistance

The drug resistance related to antibiotics has been noticed since they were first used. In contrast, disinfectants and other chemical Antimicrobials have been used extensively for over a hundred years and resistance has not yet been identified as a major problem. There are four places where antimicrobial chemicals have long been used: a) Water Treatment, b) Healthcare Facilities, c) Food Processing Plants, d) Drug Manufacturing Plants. From time to time, bacterial counts in food and drug facilities are noticed on the rise. On these occasions, the operators will switch to a different product for a while then switch back. We are not sure of why the counts go up but if it were because of resistant strains, the old product would not work again; yet it does. In water treatment, the same chemicals have been used for decades and continue to be effective.

Most researchers have concluded that there are basic differences between the way antibiotics and other Antimicrobials work. There is little reason to believe that organisms will evolve that are resistant to today's products.

Super Bugs

The possibility that super bugs of the future will eat up our buildings because of over-use of antimicrobial products appears to have more to with a science fiction thriller than today's reality. Even with antibiotics where resistant strains have been a fact of life for decades, few suggest that the new resistant organisms are "super bugs". Having a resistant strain does not mean the patient is sicker or the infection more aggressive. It just means that the treatment is more complex. In some cases, a patient will die because an effective antibiotic is not available or developed soon enough. Still, the protection provided by today's drugs is significant. Few argue that such treatment should end.

Conclusion

Organism resistance is a big challenge. Researchers will, no doubt, pursue solutions for many years. Likewise, the possibilities that microbes will begin to develop resistance to our antimicrobial chemicals is one we should remain alert for. Finally, we should continue our study of the emerging strains to better understand them and develop better defenses.

At the same time, there is no evidence that should lead us to stop using the solutions that science has brought to us. The problems of poor air quality that lead to unpleasant and possibly unhealthy indoor environments are real and significant. We need to continue using the tools that we have that the test of time has shown to be safe and effective. The solution is not to return to the dark ages.

Mr. Baker's field of expertise is the control of contamination in air-conditioning and ventilating systems by mold, mildew and bacteria. He writes and speaks frequently about the efficacy, legal risks, and regulatory issues involved in various control strategies. He serves on ASHRAE Technical Committee TC 2.3, TC 2.4, TC 9.8, and Sampling of Airborne Particulate Concentration in Commercial and Residential Buildings GPC 17P. He also serves as a member of ASTM D22.06 (Indoor Air Quality) and is on the Board of Directors of the Indoor Air Quality Association and the Florida Public Health Foundation. Because HVAC applications encompass new uses from an U.S. EPA regulatory standpoint, Mr. Baker works closely with the EPA and industry groups, including serving as the chair of the IAQ committee of the Consumer Specialty Products Association, to help formulate policy in this area.

Bob Baker is Chairman and CEO of BBJ Environmental Solutions, Inc., a company specializing in providing clean air through environmentally responsible products, such as BBJ MicroBiocide , BBJ Micro Coil Clean , "FreshDuct Odor Eliminator ", and BBJ Mold and Mildew Remover™ as well as the revolutionary new Power Coil Clean™. For additional information, Mr. Baker can be reached at (800) 889-2251 or through the company web site at http://www.bbjenviro.com.