Where To Look

This is a list of water systems that have been demonstrated to harbor Legionella bacteria and have been associated with outbreaks. Their investigation should be included in any Legionella Risk Assessment program:

1. Potable water systems
2. Cooling towers
3. Water walls
4. Aerosol generation during the biological treatment of some industrial process wastewater streams ie., pulp and paper manufacturing, food and beverage manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing
5. Aerosol generation during municipal water and wastewater treatment
6. Raw, utility or fire water
7. Ornamental outdoor and indoor water fountains and ponds
8. Heated swimming pools*
9. Hot tubs
10. Humidifiers
11. Metal working fluids
12. Medical therapy equipment like dialysis units, nasogastric tubes, respiratory equipment and nebulizers, whirlpool baths
13. Commercial car wash facilities particularly those using recycled water
14. Supermarket vegetable misters
15. Ice machines in hotels and hospitals
16. Outdoor body misters at ballparks and amusement parks*
17. Use of tap water in place of manufactured windshield cleaner fluid

*Has not been associated with any cases of legionellosis to date but all the conditions exist for the presence and transmission of the bacteria.

For More Information Call Today:
East Coast 1-800-220-3675 x2528
or write to:
EMSL Analytical, Inc.
200 Route 130 North
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

Latest Article

An Overview of Legionella Analyses

By Diane Miskowski, MPH EMSL Analytical, Inc.

The first recognized outbreak of Legionnnaires' Disease occurred in the US at the American Legion Convention in Philadelphia during the summer of 1976. read more...

Additional Resources

For additional information please click the links below.

Legionnaires' Disease
Clinical Microbiology Reviews
Cooling Technology Institute
more resources...

Legionella images courtesy of CDC, Public Health Image Library (PHIL)