Preventing Occupational Exposure to Legionella

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia that can be severe. It is caused by breathing in or aspirating small water droplets containing a pathogenic type of Legionella bacteria. Legionella can also cause a less serious infection called Pontiac fever that has symptoms similar to a mild case of the flu. Historically, most outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease have occurred in buildings with large complex water systems. Workplaces that have been associated with outbreaks include hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, plastic injection molding manufacturers, and automobile manufacturers. In recent years, community-wide outbreaks caused by construction-related disturbance to drinking water distribution lines or cooling towers have also been observed.