Legionella is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in water, especially warm water. It is also the cause of Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever, which can occur when people inhale small water droplets containing it.
Tragically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 1 out of every 10 people who get sick with Legionnaires' disease will die due to complications from their illness.
Legionella can become a significant health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems like:
- Showerheads and sink faucets
- Decorative fountains and water features
- Hot water tanks and heaters
- Large, complex plumbing systems
- Cooling towers
- Hot tubs
“In the case of hot tubs, the CDC cautions that people can be exposed to Legionella in hot tubs when the bacteria get into water systems and multiply,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “In fact, the CDC warns that hot tubs maintain water temperatures within the most favorable range for Legionella growth (77–113°F, 25–45°C), and they also create aerosols and accelerate the decay of disinfectants.”
Fortunately, there are a number of steps that can be taken to mitigate these exposure risks. The CDC offers design recommendations, water management program tips, plus information about operation, maintenance, and control limits. Zimmetry recently sponsored an educational video that shares many of these tips, which can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Nwx2M8LjFE0
In Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, the industrial hygiene, infection control, and environmental professionals at Zimmetry offer water management programs that include Legionella testing, monitoring, consulting, and training services. Their experts can create a proactive plan to help prevent new cases of Legionnaires' disease or to quickly identify the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.
To learn more about Zimmetry's water, air, environmental, infection control, and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com.
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.
— WebWireID340425 —
