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Legionnaires’ disease is a
potentially fatal form of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella bacteria.
The disease obtained its name in 1976 after a large outbreak of pneumonia
hit a group of people attending an American Legion convention in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A total of 221 people attending the convention
became sick with the “mystery disease”, with 34 people actually dying from
it. By the following year it was determined that Legionella bacteria was the
cause of the disease. |
| Legionella bacteria are commonly
found in large public and commercial water systems such as domestic hot
water systems, fountains, cooling towers, and even in large central air
conditioning systems. Legionella bacteria can also be found in certain
environments around the home such as in hot tubs and whirlpool spas, and in
home central heating systems. In addition, Legionella bacteria can also be
found naturally in small freshwater ponds and creeks. Legionella bacteria
can survive under a wide range of environmental conditions however it seems
to thrive in stagnant water at temperatures between 68o (F) and
113o (F). |
Courtesy of City Water & Environmental Consultants Ltd |
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Legionnaire’s disease is airborne
spread and contracted via breathing in vapor mists of Legionella pneumophila
bacterium from infected water supplies. Case studies have shown that the
Legionella pneumophila bacterium can travel upwards of 6km or more from its
water source. Each year between 8,000 and 18,000 people are diagnosed and
hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease in the United States alone. It is a
treatable with antibiotics, however it can be fatal in up to 5 -30% of
cases.
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Today many countries have
instituted laws that govern the design and maintenance of water treatment
systems in large office buildings, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities.
The laws provide strict regulation on the monitoring, prevention, and
control of Legionella bacteria. Companies, such as
City Water &
Environmental Consultants Ltd, in Hertford, England, have responded to these
types of regulations by providing remote monitoring equipment and services
of water treatment systems to reduce the risk of Legionella bacteria growth
in the workplace. With their advance monitoring and alert systems, automated
record keeping, and flushing systems, they can effectively combat the threat
of Legionnaires’ disease, while ensuring compliance to local and applicable
health and safety laws.
Around the home, people can kill
Legionella bacteria, or avoid the growth of it altogether, by periodically
turning up the temperature on their hot water tanks and water systems to
above 140o F and allowing the hot water faucets to run for half
an hour or so. Also, by constantly maintaining a higher hot water tank
temperature the risk of Legionella bacteria growth can be permanently
reduced.
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Additional Legionella Bacteria and
Legionnaires' Disease Resources
from Amazon.com
