Legionella Testing Services

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, September 14, 2024

Pontiac fever is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a mild respiratory disease that gets better without treatment. It is caused by a bacterium known as Legionella. Exposure to Legionella can also cause Legionnaires’ disease, a more serious and potentially deadly infection.

Legionella can be found in natural, freshwater environments. Water containing the bacteria can spread in a mist or droplets small enough to be inhaled. Less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of drinking water containing Legionella.

CDC warns that Legionella can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made building water systems like:

• Showerheads and sink faucets
• Hot tubs
• Decorative fountains and water features
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Large, complex plumbing systems
• Cooling towers

The agency also shares that it usually takes between a few hours to 3 days after being exposed to Legionella bacteria to develop Pontiac fever symptoms. The illness is generally milder than Legionnaires' disease, and someone with Pontiac fever doesn't have pneumonia. Symptoms usually last less than 1 week and mostly include fever and muscle aches.

“For workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cautions they could develop Pontiac fever or Legionnaires disease if they are exposed Legionella on the job,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This is why OSHA states that managing Legionella and preventing worker exposures and legionellosis cases depend on implementing effective water management programs.”

With dozens of laboratories across North America, EMSL Analytical offers traditional culturing methods, and rapid PCR and Whole Genome Sequencing methods, to test for Legionella from environmental samples to support water management programs and infection control efforts. 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. They also recently sponsored an educational video about Pontiac fever and Legionella exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/YaWWLPBqYrI 

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.