Legionella Testing

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Cinnaminson, New Jersey, August 29, 2023

Last month, multiple media outlets reported that the Washington State Department of Health and the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health confirmed that Legionella was found in the water at a hotel in Walla Walla after three guest became sick. People can develop Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever if they inhale water droplets or mist contaminated with the bacteria.

Legionella can be found naturally in the environment and in some manmade environments, typically in water. These manmade sources include cooling towers, potable water systems, hot tubs, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems and decorative fountains. The Washington State Department of Health states that the risk of developing Legionnaires' disease is low, but warns it occurs more frequently in the elderly, those who smoke, and in individuals that are at higher risk of infection; such as those with a chronic illness, respiratory disease or compromised immune system.

“It becomes a public health concern when Legionella grows and spreads in building water systems,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Since Legionnaires' disease can be fatal in up to 10% of diagnosed cases, taking proactive measures to test water systems, as part of a water management program to detect and mitigate Legionella exposure risks, is important for protecting at-risk populations. 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 in Seattle and Tacoma, and dozens more across North America, EMSL Analytical offers traditional culturing methods, and rapid PCR and Whole Genome Sequencing methods, to test for Legionella from environmental samples. A number of EMSL’s 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 to request sampling supplies, 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 with locations 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, VOCs, 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 EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA 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.