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

*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 x1218
or write to:
EMSL Analytical, Inc.
107 Haddon Avenue
Westmont, NJ 08108

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)