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Waterheater at 130 means no need for filters, showered changes etc?!
I had an email exchange with Dr Falkinham (the scientist who does all the work on exposure to NTM, especially in water sources) asking whether raising the temperature of the home water heater meant you do not have to use special filters or shower heads. As much as I have read this (and the NTM) forums, I did not understand the answer to this. It seems like so many people on here are only doing tub baths (me) or buying special and replacing special filters or shower heads. His reply is below and would indicate that we don't need to make any of those other changes if we raise our water heater temperature to 130 or above. This seems like such as easy fix compared to all of the other undertakings.
Dear Tamara:
Thank you for your reply and request for further information.
In a study of Philadelphia suburb patients, we discovered that raising the water heater temperature setting to 130 F or higher led to the disappearance of Mycobacterium avium from samples of household water, including showerheads.
That might surprise some as a showerhead will be delivering both heater (hot) and unheated water (cold). Yes, the source of water from the water heater is cold water, but in most municipalities the water delivered to homes has low numbers of NTM. My colleagues and I believe that the water heater is where NTM grow and are mixed with the cold.
We haven't tested "tank-less" or "instant" water-heaters, but logic suggests there should be no growth of NTM, as those water heaters don't have a large tank.
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I wonder why you would need to run the water for so long. I have a little card that our utility company provided and you put it under the hot tap to get a reading but I do not think it is very precise. The thermometer sounds more accurate but more complicated.
Depending on your water heater, it might have a temperature range on the dial. Ours is pretty basic and has one. Even with the water heater set at max, I continue to leave the doors to the bathroom and shower stall open, ceiling exhaust and small floor fans spinning. When cooler weather sets in I'll likely open the bathroom window instead of floor fan and turn ceiling heat on. I'll often shower after hubby. My dermatologist said daily showers are not the best for your skin especially hot ones, but there's nothing like a hot shower!
I wish the NTM research would go a bit further, which I know is impossible. And that is, to postulate where the *majority* of these cases originate. From reading peoples' stories it seems most think it originated from soil exposure. Then, perhaps hot shower after shower made their lungs more susceptible because NTM was in their water heater. No way of knowing.
We turned our heater up to max and when I tested the water, similar to described above, I used a 3 second instant read which I use for grilling cooking baking. Reading on my accurate but pricey Thermapen was 137 ! Furthermore, there's pink stuff on the shower floor even though it's cleaned regularly. It's difficult to know if it's the good pink stuff or the bad! My fortune cookie fortune came true: May you live in interesting times!
I just went to the hot water heater itself and adjusted the temperature there
We tried to adjust ours with the dial on the water heater but ours only says A, B, C, D- and the manual didn't give us any hints either. I'm sure the manufacterer would not have been any help so I didn't even try to call.
Mine too.
We have a Bradford White and I called tech support and they told me the temperatures that correspond to the dial settings. You should be able to find out from the company that makes the water heater.
Our water heater is a Rheem and the temperature settings are listed in the manual.
I disagree with the doctor. We have been told that MAC is everywhere; in the soil, in the water, etc.
Can he guarantee that all municipalities across the U.S. are MAC free?
I like to wear a belt with my suspenders, so besides the 130 degrees, I soak my shower head in vinegar
every month.
As far as testing the water temperature, I bought a KIZEN Digital Meat Thermometer with Probe
on Amazon last year for $21. That design can be from $10 to $56 depending on who makes it.
Mine reads the temp in less than three seconds.
Harry
Harry, I agree. I don't understand why he said that. In the introduction to his newest book, published this year, Dr Falkinham says "drinking water systems and household plumbing are colonized by mycobacteria."
I had my municipal water tested (it comes from deep wells) and it is MAC-free. I guess I am a belt-or-suspenders person, so I rely on the 135F water heater and my test results. I don't soak, nor do I worry about soaking, sterilizing, etc.
Yes, MAC is in the soil, so I do take precautions in the garden, with masks or using help to handle digging, mulch, etc.
So fr this had=s served me well for 44 months and I have avoided becoming reinfected.
Sue
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