Document: NUREG-1555
Document ID: ccbea725-7fae-4453-bfec-b565c95a8e44
Document Type: esrp
Title: IMPACTS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Source: NUREG-1555
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1555/initial/
Revision Date: 2007-10
Chapter: 5
Section ID: 5.3.4
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Content:
33. April 12, 1996. Noise Control Act, as amended, 42 USC 4901 et seq. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 1996. Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins 1992 (Bad Bug Book). Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, Washington, D.C. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1996. Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants. NUREG-1437, Vol. 1, Washington, D.C. NUREG-1555 5.3.4-8 October 1999 APPENDIX Thermophilic Microorganisms - Background Microorganisms that are associated with cooling towers and thermal discharges can impair human health. These microorganisms are called thermophilic organisms because their presence and numbers can be increased by the addition of heat. The microorganisms Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. are enteric pathogens. The methods of testing these microorganisms (as well as the microorganisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa and thermophilic fungi) are known, and their presence in aquatic environments can often be controlled. In addition, the inhalation or ingestion of small quantities of these organisms would not impair the health of individuals that are not immunosuppressed. However, the inhalation of endotoxins and exotoxins, which several of these organisms produce, may theoretically make healthy individuals sick, even though such illnesses have not been identified in power plant workers (NRC 1996). Other microorganisms normally present in surface water, but not as easily controlled, include the bacteria Legionella sp., which causes Legionnaires’ disease, and free-living amoebae of the genera Naegleria and Acanthamoeba. Some of the known cases of Legionellosis were traced to the aerosolization of waterborne Legionella sp. by cooling towers and evaporative condensers. Legionella is normally found in natural surface waters, and thus it is not surprising that they are found in even greater numbers in water from cooling towers and evaporative condensers. This type of equipment can amplify