New York, NY, September 3rd, 2015
On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, a cooling tower tested positive for Legionella bacteria causing the Convent of the Sacred Heart School to cancel classes. The school, located on East 91st Street, brought in an environmental engineering firm to properly disinfect the cooling system. Classes are scheduled to resume the week of September 7th.
This past August, New York legislation mandated that all cooling towers in the city to be tested regularly for Legionella bacteria. The law was promulgated after an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in the South Bronx, which led to the deaths of 12 people and sickened over a 100 throughout the area. Legionnaire’s disease is caused when aerosolized water containing Legionella bacteria is inhaled or aspirated. Cooling towers, along with other water sources like hot tubs and potable water systems, are sources of the bacteria. With the new regulation, cooling towers in New York are now required to be registered and tested. If Legionella bacteria are found, the tower must then be properly disinfected.
“Regularly testing for Legionella is essential in the prevention of another outbreak,” said Diane Miskowski, MPH, Legionella Program Manager at EMLS Analytical, Inc. “EMSL’s CDC ELITE approved Legionella testing labs offer several testing methods and provide all of the sampling supplies needed.”
EMSL has seven CDC ELITE proficient Legionella laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. The laboratories are located in Cinnaminson, NJ, New York, NY, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, San Leandro, CA, South Pasadena, CA, and Toronto, Canada.
EMSL now offers a
Legionella Pocket Guide to provide information about the bacteria and sampling techniques. To request a free copy of this guide, please
click here.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.