1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

New to group... hello!

Posted by aerogirl @aerogirl, Aug 8, 2020

Hello - I happened to stumble upon this group today and glad to join a community with same/similar health challenges. It looks like many posts I've seen are dated ... just checking - is this discussion group currently active (August 2020)? Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

aerogirl | @aerogirl | Aug 12, 2020
In reply to @windwalker "aerogirl, You can scroll to the top of this thread and go click on the magnifying..." + (show)
@windwalker

aerogirl, You can scroll to the top of this thread and go click on the magnifying glass icon; type in 'pink slime' and you will see all kinds of comments about that and mac in plumbing pipes. That kind of search works for other topics too.

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Will do - thanks!

REPLY
nannette | @nannette | Aug 12, 2020
In reply to @windwalker "Dear Connect Members, @aerogirl Remember the poll I started about who has the ‘pink slime’ AKA..." + (show)
@windwalker

Dear Connect Members, @aerogirl

Remember the poll I started about who has the ‘pink slime’ AKA Methylobacterium in their bathrooms? I have been in contact with Joseph Falkinham, a NTM reseacher and professor at Virginia Tech. He is very interested in starting a data base for where this particular bacterium is located throughout the U.S. and Canada. I have noted the locales from those of you who have already responded. Am encouraging any others with the pinkish/orange bacteria to report it back here to me. I don’t know about you, but I am excited to be a part of important research.
Please include your state and county name when submitting. Thank you in advance for helping with this poll. See e-mail below from Dr. Falkinham – Terri M.

“Dear Terri:

The source of mycobacteria in homes and buildings is the municipal water from a utility. It enters the treatment plant from the source water, usually adhering to soil particulates. The mycobacteria are disinfectant-resistant and are the few survivors of disinfection (e.g., chlorine) and have no competitors that have been killed off.

When that water reaches our homes, the mycobacteria grow in the water heaters and then are circulated throughout the house. We are currently finishing up work showing the impact of the water heater on mycobacterial numbers. Thus, the critical control point for mycobacteria might be the water heater.

I would certainly appreaciate knowing where the “Connect” group has found pink slime. You have given me an idea….I can use the NTM Foundation data base to get an idea of pink slime across the US and Canada.

Best,
Joe”

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@windwalker Teri, I have the pink slime at my house!! Interestingly enough though, I've only seen it in one toilet and not the other. So I would be Beaufort County (like you, right?) zip code is 29902. I was so excited when I saw it! Nan

REPLY
1 reply
ginak | @ginak | Aug 12, 2020
In reply to @windwalker "Dear Connect Members, @aerogirl Remember the poll I started about who has the ‘pink slime’ AKA..." + (show)
@windwalker

Dear Connect Members, @aerogirl

Remember the poll I started about who has the ‘pink slime’ AKA Methylobacterium in their bathrooms? I have been in contact with Joseph Falkinham, a NTM reseacher and professor at Virginia Tech. He is very interested in starting a data base for where this particular bacterium is located throughout the U.S. and Canada. I have noted the locales from those of you who have already responded. Am encouraging any others with the pinkish/orange bacteria to report it back here to me. I don’t know about you, but I am excited to be a part of important research.
Please include your state and county name when submitting. Thank you in advance for helping with this poll. See e-mail below from Dr. Falkinham – Terri M.

“Dear Terri:

The source of mycobacteria in homes and buildings is the municipal water from a utility. It enters the treatment plant from the source water, usually adhering to soil particulates. The mycobacteria are disinfectant-resistant and are the few survivors of disinfection (e.g., chlorine) and have no competitors that have been killed off.

When that water reaches our homes, the mycobacteria grow in the water heaters and then are circulated throughout the house. We are currently finishing up work showing the impact of the water heater on mycobacterial numbers. Thus, the critical control point for mycobacteria might be the water heater.

I would certainly appreaciate knowing where the “Connect” group has found pink slime. You have given me an idea….I can use the NTM Foundation data base to get an idea of pink slime across the US and Canada.

Best,
Joe”

Jump to this post

@windwalker Hi Terri, I’m not sure if I already answered this. I currently live in the SE Anadale section of Staten Island, NY and have the “pink” ring in my bowl if it doesn’t get used often. I also used to live in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn, NY and I had it there also.
Gina K

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 12, 2020

@windwalker Terri I have it in both of my homes, Palmiew Texas (Hidalgo County) and Fridley Minnesota (Anoka County). Both are local municipal water supplies.
Sue

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cali2142 | @cali2142 | Aug 12, 2020

I would like to have our municipal water tested for mycobacterium. I recall someone posted, either here or elsewhere, where to send a water sample but didn't write it down. Does anyone have that information? Occasionally, we get the pink ring on one of our toilets and also a small amount on some shower tiles but not recently. My husband resealed the floor shower tiles and it hasn't come back since and sometimes I pour straight bleach on the tiles so maybe that's why. We live in Orange County, CA.
Carole

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2 replies
Margie E | @margiebanks | Aug 12, 2020

@windwalker Terri, I recall pinkish-orange on the fold-over parts of plastic shower curtains, and around the drains of the tub and bathroom sinks not only where I live now, Grady County Georgia, but in Jefferson County and Shelby County Kentucky. Also in Clark County Indiana. My bf has well water in Grady County Georgia and I don't notice it.

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thumperguy | @thumperguy | Aug 12, 2020

Aerogirl, here’s a piece of whimsy I posted a few months ago during a late Thumper session.

“
With a nod to Gene Autry; to the tune of "I'm back in the saddle again."

I'm ridin' ole Thumper again,
Chasin' that ole Devil phlegm.
If I don't git him now there's always the next round.
I'm determined to win in the end.

Whoopi-ty-aye-yay, doin' it twice a day.
Ridin' ole Thumper again.

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh,we're givin' it a go.
Ridin' ole Thumper again.

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thumperguy | @thumperguy | Aug 12, 2020

In some venues“Thumper” Is known as Respirtech Percussion Vest.

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Aug 13, 2020
In reply to @nannette "@windwalker Teri, I have the pink slime at my house!! Interestingly enough though, I've only seen..." + (show)
@nannette

@windwalker Teri, I have the pink slime at my house!! Interestingly enough though, I've only seen it in one toilet and not the other. So I would be Beaufort County (like you, right?) zip code is 29902. I was so excited when I saw it! Nan

Jump to this post

Hi Nan, is your water source the same as mine? BJW&S? That is who came to my house and tested my water.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Aug 13, 2020
In reply to @cali2142 "I would like to have our municipal water tested for mycobacterium. I recall someone posted, either..." + (show)
@cali2142

I would like to have our municipal water tested for mycobacterium. I recall someone posted, either here or elsewhere, where to send a water sample but didn't write it down. Does anyone have that information? Occasionally, we get the pink ring on one of our toilets and also a small amount on some shower tiles but not recently. My husband resealed the floor shower tiles and it hasn't come back since and sometimes I pour straight bleach on the tiles so maybe that's why. We live in Orange County, CA.
Carole

Jump to this post

Hello cali2142. You can reach out to your local water company and ask them to test your water for you. That is what I did. I explained my disease from mac and having bronchiectasis to the quality control person and she was happy to set that up for me. She was unaware that this organism can be in the water supply and unaware of it making people sick. She thanked me for educating her on this subject and was going to write about it within her company. If your water company will not do it for you, there is a lab that you can get to test it. I will get back to you with the lab info. Hopefully, the fact that you have had pink rings in your toilet will indicate the absence of mac in your water. I have a question: have you found a good pulmonologist & I.D. dr in your area? @haydee is looking for both. Thank you!

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