Microbiology Testing Services

Last month, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) announced it was working in coordination with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Health and Human Services Department to investigate three cases of Legionnaires’ disease. The outbreak occurred in guests who had stayed at a hotel in Parsippany last year.

According to the NJDOH announcement:

After the second case was identified in February 2022, the Department in coordination with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Health and Human Services Department began an outbreak investigation to determine if the hotel was a possible source of these infections. Health officials visited the site in February and instructed hotel management to collect samples from the building’s water system for Legionella testing. The Department received the water testing results in April which revealed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the building’s water system that is used for purposes such as showering, washing hands and brushing teeth.

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia that can result when people inhale water droplets or mists containing Legionella bacteria. Exposure to Legionella can also cause a less severe condition known as Pontiac fever. Legionella is found naturally in freshwater environments, but can become a health concern if it grows and spreads in building water system.

“Legionnaires' disease can be fatal in up to 10% of diagnosed cases according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Taking proactive measures to test manmade water systems, as part of a water management program to detect Legionella exposure risks, can help to prevent illnesses, outbreaks and fatalities. If an outbreak has already occurred, rapid testing can be instrumental for identifying the source of the bacteria to prevent others from becoming infected.”

With laboratories across the United States and Canada, EMSL Analytical has decades of experience identifying environmental sources of Legionella. They offer traditional culturing methods, and rapid PCR and Whole Genome Sequencing methods. A number of their laboratories have received the CDC’s Certificate of Proficiency from its Elite Program for Legionella testing and some are also NYSDOH ELAP Legionella certified.

To learn more about Legionella or other microbial testing services, please visit www.LegionellaTesting.com or www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.