They can be found in aerosols, rivers and swamps, in treated city water, public swimming pools, hot spas, humidifiers, aquariums, garden soils, food, and many other places. Because they are protected by their waxy lipid-rich cell wall, mycobacteria are resistant to disinfectants and water treatment measures.
Nontuberculous mycobacterium infections can become chronic and require ongoing treatment. Some patients, however, do not require treatment for their less severe infections.
Currently there is a "hypothesis" or "theory" about acquiring NTM from a shower. In considering an apparent increase in the number of NTM lung disease cases sen over the past 25 years, it has been noted by researchers in the field, such as Dr. Pace in Boulder and Dr. Falkinham in Virginia, that NTMs may be commonly recovered from home water systems.
They speculate that in the recent past people tend to take showers rather than bathe in a tub, and when showering in a closed stall the concentration of NTMs could be higher. Additionally, to save energy, water heaters have lower temperatures now, which could allow more NTM growth in the water. These are preliminary findings and further research is required to confirm these theories.
Additionally, there are newer data to indicate that aspiration of water that we drink associated with reflux may be an additional way that mycobacteria gain access to the lungs and causes disease.
HOW TO REDUCE NPM EXPOSURE FROM YOUR HOME PLUMBING SYSTEM:
Raise your water heater temperature to 130 degrees. This level of heat will kill NPM, even when mixed with cooler water for your shower.
Install a reverse osmosis drinking water filter at your kitchen sink, and connect to your refrigerator if possible.
Install a whole house ceramic water filter that filters out particles as small as .22 micron.
Stop using humidifiers.
Boil water for 10 minutes.
