The
recent tragic outbreak of Legionnaire's disease in Cumbria
and Bedfordshire has once again highlighted the necessity
of checking your air conditioning units regularly.
Whilst most systems will be perfectly safe, it is always
worth getting that extra bit of security and assurance by
having them tested by a professional.
FMUK talks to Mike Wigglesworth, a scientist
from the Eclipse Scientific Group, which provides Legionella,
Asbestos and Food Testing as well as advice, to explain
what Legionnaires' disease is, how it occurs and what
you can do.
All facility managers should know that
air-conditioning systems and cooling towers are a potential
breeding ground for Legionella bacteria - but they are
not the only sources.
People have contracted the disease from
spa baths, hotel hot water systems, composting processes,
humidifiers and maintenance of water systems. Anything
that creates moist air is a potential source of infection.
"There are more than 40 different
species of Legionella bacteria," says Mike whose
company has a London based consultancy business and eight
regionally located specialist laboratories. "They
are found naturally in environmental soil and water sources
and can exist over a wide temperature range. Their ability
to survive and reproduce in poorly maintained water systems
has given rise to the threat of Legionnaires' disease.
"On average there have been approximately
250 reported cases each year in the UK and a number of
cases are associated with travel abroad. It is, however,
thought that the prevalence of the disease is underestimated.
Reports show that the disease is fatal in approximately
15 per cent of reported cases."
In the UK, Health and Safety Law states
that, with regard to premises, employers have to take
the necessary precautions to ensure both staff and members
of the public are not at risk from infection.
The regulations require the identification
and assessment of risk, prevention or minimisation of
risk from exposure to Legionella, systems for the management
and selection, training and competence of personnel and
a record of maintenance, cleaning and disinfection. The
requirements are detailed by 'L8' the Approved Code of
Practice and Guidance for the control of Legionella bacteria
in water systems.
"The recent outbreaks highlight
the very real risk that may be hidden in your buildings,"
says Mike. "Comprehensive risk management, good water
hygiene and maintenance practices, including regular monitoring
for the bacterium, are essential tools in the control
of Legionella.
"The robust nature of the organism
and its association with biofilms means that it may take
several attempts to remove it. Failure to comply with
current regulations may result in serious illness or death
and lead to the prosecution of organisations or individuals."
The disease occurs more frequently in
men than women and usually affects middle-aged or elderly
people, smokers and people with other chest problems,
heavy drinkers and those with a weakened immune system.
The disease is uncommon in younger people and is very
uncommon under the age of 20.
Symptoms are similar to the symptoms
of the flu and include high temperature, feverishness
and chills, cough, muscle pains, headache; and leading
on to pneumonia, very occasionally, diarrhoea and signs
of mental confusion
"In response to the growing concern,
and long overdue public awareness of Legionnaires' disease
and the Legionella bacterium, the Eclipse Scientific Group
has launched a 'Legionella Testing Hotline' which draws
on expertise at the Ashford Laboratory in Kent where the
group's Legionella laboratory is based.
"Calls have been received from
companies of all sizes, nationwide, seeking advice on
risk assessment and monitoring for the bacterium. A recent
increase in the number of samples submitted to the laboratory
is evident.
"In the month of August, immediately
after the outbreak, there was a 55 per cent increase over
the number of samples received in July. In September this
figure had risen to 100 per cent. In July, five per cent
of the samples tested were found to contain Legionella,
and in August this figure was 10 per cent.
"Over the past 3 months in our
laboratory Legionella pneumophila was identified in 82
per cent of positive samples, 21 per cent of these were
the clinically important serogroup 1."
Figures like these show how prevalent
the bacteria are in water - cooled air- conditioning units
and other water systems. Simple testing, cleaning and
identifying the risk should leave your systems disease
free.
For further details on Legionnaires'
disease visit www.hse.gov.uk
Mike Wigglesworth can be contacted on 01233 504270.
Eclipse can be contacted on Tel:
01354 695858, Fax: 01354 692215 or by email:
enquiries@esglabs.co.uk.
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