Laboratory Services
Legionella
Legionnaires’ disease is the single leading killer among all indoor contaminants in buildings in the United States. Legionella is the causative agent for Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac Fever. Legionnaires’ disease is the more serious condition, causing a multi-system disease including pneumonia with fatality rates of about 15%. The number of cases occurring in the United States each year has been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at 10,000 to more than 100,000 per year. In the February 2003 issue of the MMWR published by CDC, the only reportable disease that was on the increase was Legionnaires’ disease. In fact, the MMWR publication reported that the occurrence of Legionnaires’ disease was elevated “beyond historical limits.” This increase is especially important to industrial hygienists and building managers because the transmission is entirely environmental and is directly linked to building water systems. Water sources for sampling include cooling towers, evaporative condensers, potable water heaters and holding tanks, pipes containing stagnant warm water, shower heads, decorative fountains, faucet aerators, nebulizers, humidifiers, mister reservoirs, and whirlpool baths. For further information, refer to PathCon Technical Bulletin 1.5 and Legionella Sample Record Sheet.