What Is Bacteria?
Bacteria are microscopic, one-celled
organisms usually classified as plants (in a
division called fungi). Bacteria typically
originates in human and animal wastes and
can enter a water supply from septic tank
drainage, sewage and sewer back-ups, a
toilet overflow, feedlot manure or direct
drainage of surface runoff into wells. In
addition to contaminating construction
materials, bacterial contamination remains
the most common water quality problem for
individual (private wells) and small
community public systems (under 1,000
service connections).
How Do You Come In Contact With Bacteria?
Humans and animals can come into contact
with bacteria through several ways:
-
Skin contact:
walking, laying, crawling on
floors and other construction materials
that have been exposed to black water
(sewer water).
-
Inhalation:
breathing bacteria contaminated
air.
-
Ingestion:
drinking bacteria contaminated
well or tap water.
Fecal coliform bacteria are mostly found
in drinking water that comes from private
wells and small water systems. This is
partly because private water supplies, small
rural public water supplies and private
wells are not required, by law, to be
tested. Every time you drink water from one
of these sources, you may be exposed to
harmful levels of bacteria, which can pose
immediate threat to your health. Families
drinking non-chlorinated water such as from
an underground well and apartment dwellers
roof-top wood storage tanks are especially
susceptible to bacterial contamination. Home
water treatment devices utilizing GAC
(Granular Activated Charcoal) as a singular
filtering device may also become a breeding
ground for bacteria.
What Can Bacteria Do To You?
Fecal coliform bacteria in drinking water
can lead to diseases such as typhoid fever
and cholera, though these diseases are rare
in the United States. Fecal coliform
bacteria contamination can also lead to
infectious hepatitis and dysentery, which
are more common. Some experts believe that
exposure to high levels of bacteria in
drinking water can also make infants more
susceptible to the toxic effects of nitrates
in drinking water. Symptoms associated with
bacterial contamination include digestive
problems, fever, nausea, diarrhea and
cramps.
Bacterial Infection VS Viral Infection
Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria
and viral infections are caused by viruses.
Infections caused by bacteria include strep
throat, tuberculosis and urinary tract
infections. Diseases that result from
viruses include chickenpox, AIDS and the
common cold.
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms
that thrive in many different types of
environments. Some varieties live in
extremes of cold or heat, while others make
their home in people's intestines, where
they help digest food. Most bacteria cause
no harm to people.
Viruses are even smaller than bacteria and
require living hosts — such as people,
plants or animals — to multiply. Otherwise,
they can't survive. When a virus enters your
body, it invades some of your cells and
takes over the cell machinery, redirecting
it to produce the virus.
Perhaps the most important distinction
between bacteria and viruses is that
antibiotic drugs usually kill bacteria, but
they aren't effective against viruses. In
some cases, it may be difficult to determine
whether bacteria or a virus is causing your
symptoms. Many ailments — such as pneumonia,
meningitis and diarrhea — can be caused by
either type of microbe.
Inappropriate use of antibiotics has helped
create strains of bacterial disease that are
resistant to treatment with different types
of antibiotic medications.
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AMI can test to determine if bacteria
contamination has occurred by taking surface
and cultured samples. If the black water
loss is positive for bacteria, AMI can
oversee the decontamination project of all
building materials through your sewage
abatement contractor.
For more
specific information about testing for
bacteria in your building, call AMI to speak
to a Certified Professional.
1-800-369-8532
|
Advanced Mold Inspections and Environmental Testing
