6-Log Legionella Reduction in Under 10 Seconds
Independent testing by Special Pathogen Laboratory (Pennsylvania) of Jenfitch mineral oxychloride chemistry held at a target ORP.
The Problem
The Challenge
Legionella thrives in warm water systems — it prefers 20–50 °C, with an optimum near 37 °C — making cooling towers and similar equipment a persistent risk. The bacteria are hard to reach because roughly 90% of Legionella lives inside biofilm (Montana State University Center for Biofilm Engineering), where it is more resistant to treatment and harbored by amoebae.
Conventional disinfection struggles to penetrate that biofilm fast enough to drive Legionella down to safe levels, leaving systems exposed to legionellosis.
The Program
The Jenfitch Solution
Jenfitch's mineral oxychloride chemistry is dosed to a target oxidation-reduction potential rather than by ppm alone. Because kill efficacy tracks ORP, holding the system above +700 mV creates a disinfection regime lethal to Legionella — and its reactive oxygen species break down the biofilm that shields the bacteria.
- Hold system ORP above +700 mV using JC 9450 / JC 9465 mineral oxychloride chemistry.
- ROS attacks the biofilm matrix where ~90% of Legionella hides, not just the free-swimming cells.
- Single-chemical, ORP-controlled program that also manages algae, scale, and corrosion.
- Kill validated independently by Special Pathogen Laboratory in Pennsylvania.
The Data
The Results
| Parameter | Result |
|---|---|
| Legionella reduction | 6-log |
| Contact time to achieve it | Under 10 seconds |
| ORP held | > +700 mV |
| Time to eliminate legionellosis in most systems | Under 4 hours |
| Share of Legionella living in biofilm | ~90% |
Fast enough to matter
Holding ORP above +700 mV delivered a 6-log Legionella reduction in under 10 seconds — and, by breaking down the sheltering biofilm, eliminated legionellosis in most systems in under 4 hours.
Documentation
Read the full study
Related: Cooling Towers & Scrubbers research · ORP Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
About this Legionella result.
Who validated the 6-log reduction?
Special Pathogen Laboratory in Pennsylvania confirmed a 6-log Legionella reduction in under 10 seconds when the system is held above +700 mV.
Why is biofilm the key issue?
Roughly 90% of Legionella lives inside biofilm (Montana State University Center for Biofilm Engineering), where it is more resistant and harbored by amoebae. Jenfitch ROS breaks down that biofilm so the bacteria can be reached.
How does ORP control the kill?
The chemistry is dosed to a target ORP rather than by ppm alone. Because kill efficacy tracks ORP, holding above +700 mV delivers a 6-log kill in under 10 seconds.
How quickly can a system be cleared?
By breaking down the sheltering biofilm, the program eliminates legionellosis in most systems in under 4 hours.
