News / Health & Wellness
Are you and your family at the risk of Legionnaires' disease?
An advisory is in effect from the Hillsborough County Health Department, warning people that they may get Legionaries’ disease when breathing in a mist or vapor that has been contaminated with the bacteria, such as vapors or mist from a whirlpool spa that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected.
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella, a bacterium found primarily in warm water environments. It may also be reported from the air conditioning system of a building and it can be dispersed in the environment by aerosolization. They are gram-negative, mostly motile, environmentally-sourced bacteria that can be isolated from surface water, mud, and thermally polluted lakes and streams. There is no known soil or animal source. It is pathogenic for humans, causing Legionnaires’ disease and/or Pontiac fever.
According to an estimate up to 18,000 hospitalizations annually are reported in USA due to Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. Approximately 5-30% death is recorded. Elderly persons (more than 50 years of age) and people with weak immune systems are at a greater risk. The signs of this disease usually develop within a couple of weeks. Some important symptoms are, but not limited to: headache, muscle pain, chills, fever that may exceed 104 degree Fahrenheit, cough which may bring up mucus and sometimes blood, shortness of breathe, chest pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as confusion or other mental changes etc. The symptoms are highly confusing with that of flu.
To prevent the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac Fever, it is advisable and highly recommended to do a periodical testing on the water source, plumbing system, shower head and bath tub etc. for Legionella bacteria. A close monitoring of these bacteria can minimize the chance of accruing the above-mentioned disease and is also helpful in preventing the epidemic due to this factor.
EDLab at Pure Air Control Services is currently offering Legionella testing at a discounted rate (10% discount - use HLO code for the discount) to help the public. Collect the water sample (at least 250 ml) in sterile bottles containing a small amount of sodium thiosulfate or any other oxidizing biocide. Fill out a chain of custody report and send it to the Environmental Diagnostic Laboratory for Legionella testing or go to: www.INDOORAIRTESTcom. The reports are available between 15-20 working days. Call 800-422-7873 for immediate help.
Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab):
Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services, Inc. in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm and has since set the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis, environmental laboratory and remediation. Pure Air Control Services has serviced more than 600 million square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities.
The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) (established in 1992) at Pure Air Control Services (PACS) is an AIHA accredited environmental lab offering complete and comprehensive indoor environmental microbiology laboratory services. They include: microbiology, aerobiology, chemistry, allergen assays and microscopy designed to meet all your indoor air needs. EDLab supports IAQ investigations by assisting with strategic sampling plan development and supplying media collection equipment while performing a wide range of environmental analyses.
The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA); US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; US Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services/EDLab the reliable industry leader in IAQ.
For more information on EDLab at Pure Air Services, Inc. please contact Alan Wozniak, at (800) 422-7873 x 802, Dr. Sahay, (800) 422-7873 x 301, or visit www.pureaircontrols.com.
Dr. Rajiv Sahay, CIAQP, FIAS
Director, EDLab
Pure Air Control Services
4911 Creekside Drive
Clearwater, FL 33760
www.pureaircontrols.com
