Legionellosis is a collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria including the most serious legionnaires’ disease, as well as the similar but less serious conditions of Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever.
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection. The risk increases with age but some people are at higher risk including:
- People over 45 years of age
- Smokers and heavy drinkers
- People suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease
- Diabetes, lung and heart disease
- Anyone with an impaired immune system
The bacterium legionella pneumophila and related bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but usually in low numbers. They may also be found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems and spa pools.
Envirochem now offer legionella tests by using the most up to date scientific techniques, covering any water system in the workplace or domestic environment such as:
- Domestic water systems
- Cooling towers
- Any drinking water service
- Swimming pools
- Spa pools
- Car washes
- Effluent
- Vending machines
- Evaporative condensers
- Hot and cold water systems
- Cooling waters
- Process waters
- Humidifiers
- Dental equipment
- Hot & cold systems
- Borehole water
- Showers
- Sprinklers
- Fountains
- Water storage tanks
- Natural water sources such as lakes and rivers and reservoirs
If conditions are favourable, the bacteria may grow increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease and it is therefore important to control the risks by introducing appropriate measures outlined in Legionnaires’ disease – The Control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8)
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