LansonMicrobe

Profile and Experience of the Consultant

I took an HND in Applied Biology specialising in Microbiology qualifying in 1971. After that I studied part time achieving Institute of Biology exams in 1973.

I started work in 1972 for Max Factor in Bournemouth where I worked as a microbiologist working on projects. It was here that I started looking at water as a source of microbial contamination.

I then moved in July 1972 to Roussel Laboratories Swindon where I worked as a Junior Technician, Technician, Senior Technician, Microbiologist and senior Microbiologist grades.

Although working in quality control, I became involved with quality assurance issues and particularly water as a source of contamination. This involved tracing sources of contamination and eliminating them. I also investigated many forms of disinfection and sterilisation of bacteria. This involved heat, radiation and chemicals including chlorine, bromine, chlorine dioxide. It was also where I became involved with resistance of bacteria to chemical agents.

In 1977, I moved to Tenneco in Avonmouth as head of Microbiology. This involved routine testing disinfectants while assessing new materials and new formulations. I then assessed chemical agents as industrial biocides. I was involved with typhoid (Salmonella typhi testing and a number of species of Salmonella, E coli, Staphylococcus, Enterobacteria, Pseudomonas Burkholderia and a number of fungi and yeast. I provided technical service back up in the paper industry, which again involved assessing methods of testing and investigating water problems. During this period, I started to look at issues concerning Legionella pneumophila, which had been discovered in 1978, and chemical methods of control.

In 1980 I re-trained as a chemist and started work with Dearborn Chemicals Ltd as a water treatment specialist. Although this involved a lot of treatment of steam boilers, it involved treatment of closed systems and open evaporative cooling systems.

I stayed in the same company progressing in promotion through senior consultant, to Key Account Manager grades I & II. Dearborn Chemicals became Grace Dearborn, Betz Dearborn, GE Betz and various guises of GE under the name of GE Water.

While working during this period, I gained further experience of bacteria in water systems and Legionella in particular and its prevention. In 1989 to 1992, I was involved in assessing a wide range of government buildings and water systems for specific risks with regards to Legionaires Disease. This involved a number of different systems of Risk Assessment methodology including numerical systems. It also involved making recommendations for the reduction of the risks on site.

I assessed waters produced by Evaporation processes, Reverse Osmosis, Filtration as well as working with Tunnel Pasteurisers, Continuous and Discontinuous Sterilisers, as well as various forms of batch cookers and retorts and their associated water and microbial problems.

I specialised in water quality in the food industry and what was required to reach those standards. I have evaluated Marks & Spencer and Tesco standards as well as those required for private water supplies.

I started work as an independent consultant assessing problems in the drinks industry as well as carrying specialised work on iron and manganese bacteria in waters.

I have been trained in various courses on Legionella including the operation of cooling water systems, Legionella Manager and Legionella Risk Assesment all to City and Guild Level over the period as well as numerous refreshment courses.

I set up Lanson Microbe in 2011 to offer a consultancy service involved with water related issues and problems.