Understanding Legionnaires' Disease and the Role of Building Water Systems

Introduction to Legionnaires' Disease

Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is caused by the bacterium Legionella. This disease and a less severe influenza-like illness known as Pontiac fever constitute legionellosis. Alarmingly, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates between 8,000 and 18,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease annually in the United States, with over 10% of these cases being fatal. A 2019 report by the National Academy of Sciences Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) suggests that the actual number could be as high as 52,000 to 70,000 Americans yearly, many times higher than reported cases.

How Does Legionella Thrive in Building Water Systems?

The presence of Legionella in building water systems is a key factor, but not sufficient alone to cause Legionnaires' disease. Several conditions must coincide:

• Building water system designs that promote Legionella growth.
• Transmitting the bacteria to people (like aerosol generation).
• Exposing susceptible individuals to colonized water.

It's important to note that Legionella is not typically transmitted through eating or drinking contaminated water but rather through inhalation or aspiration into the lungs.

Who is at Risk?

Specific individuals are more susceptible to Legionnaires' disease. This includes people undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy and organ transplantation or those with chronic diseases like diabetes and lung disease. Older adults, smokers, and those with weakened immune systems are also at greater risk.

The Role of Building Owners and Managers

Building owners and managers play a crucial role in preventing Legionnaires' disease. Along with those involved in the design, construction, infection prevention, and maintenance of building water systems, they are responsible for implementing measures to minimize the risk of legionellosis. This responsibility extends to all buildings, whether residential, commercial, or healthcare facilities.

Conclusion

Understanding the connection between Legionella and building water systems is the first step in preventing outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease. Our next blog post will explore the specific risk management requirements for building water systems per ASHRAE Standard 188-2021. Stay tuned to learn how Solid Blend, your expert partner, can help manage and mitigate these risks effectively.

For immediate assistance or inquiries about controlling Legionella bacteria in your building's water system, don't hesitate to contact the Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialists at Solid Blend. We are dedicated to ensuring the safety and compliance of your water systems.