What is Legionella bacteria:
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.
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 can also be found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold-water systems, and spa pools.
Why test for Legionella:
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
Who should test:
From vending machines to humidifiers, Domestic water systems to Cooling towers legionella bacteria can breed to dangerous levels if testing and monitoring is neglected.
Below is a list of potential water sources at risk:
- 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
What we can offer:
Envirochem now offer UKAS accredited legionella tests by using the most up to date scientific techniques, covering any water system in the workplace or domestic environment.
We can attend site to carry out sampling (not covered by our UKAS accreditation) or alternatively please see below our new Legionella self-sampling kit.
For more information please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;