Download The Findit App

Share Your Posts On These Major Social Networks

Instatag Your Posts to Instagram Facebook + Twitter

News

New ASHRAE Legionella Standard 188 Best Practices = Limit Liability

Legionnaires' disease can wreak havoc by creating emergency evaluations, emergency disinfection, negative reputations, bad publicity, reduced property values, legal liability and potentially huge expense.

New York 4/4/2012 1:57:09 AM

According to Building Operating Management magazine,expert Victor Yu, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Chief, Infectious Disease Section, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA disclosed that “Up to 70% of all buildings greater than three stories in the US may be contaminated with legionella.”

Legionnaires' disease are the two words that no facilities manager, risk manager or building operations manager wants to hear.  Everyone knows about the haunting images of the 1976 American Legion Convention in Philadelphia at which 220 became ill and 30 died. No building owner wants the Legionella bacteria stigma associated with their building. Cases of Legionnaires' disease can wreak havoc by creating emergency evaluations, emergency disinfection, negative reputations, bad publicity, reduced property values, legal liability and potentially huge expense.

Legionnaires' disease (LEE-juh-nares) is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. The bacteria got its name in 1976, when many people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion suffered from an outbreak of this disease, a type of pneumonia (lung infection). Although this type of bacteria was around before1976, more illness from Legionnaires' disease is being detected now. This is because we are now looking for this disease whenever a patient has pneumonia.

Between 18,000 and 20,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in the U.S. alone each year.  However, many infections are not diagnosed or reported, so this number may be higher. More illness is usually found in the summer and early fall, but it can happen any time of year. Legionnaires' disease can be very serious and can cause death in up to 5% to 30% of cases or 2400 to 5400 people will die each year as many as 16 deaths each day.

“These deaths can be prevented, just by taking small steps such as monitoring and testing of Legionella bacteria in and around their potential source of origin,” stated Dr. Rajiv R Sahay. Sources such as hot springs, hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems or parts of the air-conditioning systems of large buildings etc. require special attention. Infections in humans are noticed mostly after breathing a mist or vapor (small droplet of water in the air) contaminated with Legionella. Therefore, sampling in addition to source sampling is important in the prevention of Legionnaires’ disease.

Why a Legionella Standard:  To respond to this growing threat to public health, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) will release ASHRAE Standard 188: Prevention of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems in summer 2012. The new standard will require that facility managers implement stronger safeguards through pro-active risk assessment and risk management practices.

ASHRAE 188, was written by engineering, microbiology, disease prevention and water treatment experts, providing a comprehensive set of practices that facility managers can follow to help prevent Legionellosis. The standard specifies uniform practices for risk assessment and management. It covers potable water systems; cooling towers and evaporative condensers; whirlpool spas; decorative fountains; other water features; and aerosol-generating air coolers, humidifiers, and washers.

Under the new ASHRAE 188 standard, facility managers are charged with conducting an annual survey to determine what risk is present in their buildings. Specific risk factors called out in the standard include:

·        Multiple housing units with one or more centralized water heaters

·        More than 10 stories (including levels below grade)

·        Cooling tower or evaporative condenser

·        One or more whirlpools or spas within or adjacent to building

·        Devices that release aerosols (e.g., ornamental fountains, misters, air washers or humidifiers)

·        Incoming potable water containing less than 0.5 ppm residual halogen such as chlorine

·        Inpatient health care facility

·        Occupants primarily older than age 65

·        Occupants receiving chemotherapy for cancer or bone marrow transplantation.

If a facility manager identifies the presence of one or more risk factors after conducting the survey, then a risk management team must be assembled to prepare and implement a HACCP plan to prevent the threat posed by Legionella bacteria.

Dr. Rajiv Sahay, director of laboratory services at Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDLab) stated that our “as a result of our AIHA accreditation as a environmental microbiology laboratory and CDC ELITE credentials our clients are assured of the Clients can be assured of highest accuracy scientifically and legally defensible data available.”  Dr. Sahay further stated that “we look forward to continuing to work with many facilities staff in helping them build a strong proactive Legionella program in their facilities.”

How is Legionnaires’ disease diagnosed?  Most people with Legionnaires’ disease will have pneumonia (lung infection) since the Legionella bacteria grow and thrive in the lungs.  Pneumonia is confirmed either by chest x-ray or clinical diagnosis.  Several laboratory tests can be used to detect the Legionella bacteria within the body.  The most commonly used laboratory test for diagnosis is the urinary antigen test, which detects Legionella bacteria from a urine specimen, or sample.  If the patient has pneumonia and the test is positive, then the patient is considered to have Legionnaires’ disease.  Additionally, if the Legionella bacteria are cultured (isolated and grown on a special media) from a lung biopsy specimen, respiratory secretions, or various other sites, the diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease is also considered confirmed.  Finally, paired sera (blood specimens) that show a specific increase in antibody levels when drawn shortly after illness and several weeks following recovery, can also be used to confirm the diagnosis.

For more information on developing a proactive Legionella testing program for your buildings call the Building Scientists at Pure Air Control Services or go to: Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDlab) Edlab.org, a CDC ELITE laboratory (contact Dr. Rajiv Sahay 1-800-422-7873 ext 303).  DIY Legionella kits are available at: www.INDOORAIRTEST.com and other fine retailers.

About Pure Air Control Services, Inc.

Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services, Inc. in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm. Today, the firm sets the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis and remediation.

Pure Air’s nationally performed services include: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check; an AIHA accredited Environmental Microbiology Laboratory; Environmental Project Management; and Mold Remediation Services, among other indoor environmental services.

The company’s expanding client roster includes the Jones, Lang LaSalle (JLL), FAA, Walt Disney World, General Services Administration (GSA); Allstate Insurance; CBRE, Carrier Air Conditioning; NAVFAC, DOT, USACE, US Army, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services the reliable industry leader.

For more information on Pure Air Control Services, Inc. please contact Alan Wozniak or Cy Garner at (800) 422-7873  ext 802 or 804 respectively, or visit www.pureaircontrols.com.

More News

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1554371_7081_070314103226.jpg

IAQ Test Kits (DIY), PURE-Steam Coil Cleaning and PURE-Decon Room Treatment Showcased at the Annual FRACCA Conference

This annual event provides an opportunity for licensed contractors throughout the State of Florida to obtain all 14 state-required hours of continuing education over the course of the two-day event.

Released On: 3/8/2014
Views: 4211

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1549763_7081_030314101742.jpg

Free Legionella Webinar: Detection & Identification Workshop

Although this type of bacteria was around before1976, more illness from Legionnaires' disease is being detected now. Due to consumer awareness, added research and technological advances in healthcare Legionnaires disease identification is becomi ...

Released On: 3/4/2014
Views: 4030

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1541368_7081_180214022446.jpg

Why Some High-Performance Buildings Are Failing?

Performance of a building depends on its structured integrity, preventive maintenance, as well as periodical monitoring of the environmental conditions essential for its functionality.

Released On: 2/19/2014
Views: 4057

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1540686_7081_170214032311.jpg

Legionnaire’s – What You Should Know About The Potential Deadly Bacteria

According to Building Operating Management magazine, expert Victor Yu, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Chief, Infectious Disease Section, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, disclosed that “Up to 70% of all buildings greater t ...

Released On: 2/18/2014
Views: 3622

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1521790_7081_220114070900.jpg

Managing of Indoor Environments: Problems and Solutions - IEQ WEBINAR


Released On: 1/22/2014
Views: 3513

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1511240_7081_070114124547.jpg

Save Energy and Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with PURE-Steam Deep Coil Cleaning

High efficiency coils are extremely susceptible to blockage from dust accumulation because once lodged deeply within the fins bacteria and mold may initiate growth, which not only compounds the blockage problems but also gives rise to excessive o ...

Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 6290

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1511232_7081_070114123357.jpg

January is National Radon Action Month

Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water.

Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 3966

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1505340_7081_301213112312.jpg

Why indoor air quality is important to all of us?

World Health Organization (WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality, 2009) concluded that the most important effect is increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma, as well as perturbation of the immunological systems

Released On: 12/31/2013
Views: 3989

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1497580_7081_191213014839.jpg

Pure Air Control Services Launches New Interactive Website

The website is a true indoor environmental resource for the private and public sector including consumers, educational facilities e.g. schools, universities, along with city, county state and federal governments, healthcare and the public sector.

Released On: 12/20/2013
Views: 3024

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1491172_7081_101213015934.jpg

Pure Air Control Services Awarded Certification from Doctor Trusted

“We are very proud to have been given the opportunity to display that we are a Doctor Trusted recipient. We will continue as always to help provide our customers with a great products and services,” stated Dr. Rajiv Sahay, environmental analytica ...

Released On: 12/11/2013
Views: 3954

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1486804_7081_041213092709.jpg

IndoorAirTest.com Receives Seal of Approval by Doctor Trusted

IndoorAirtest.com is very proud to have a Doctor Trusted seal of approval displayed on our website, giving our customers more confidence when shopping with us.

Released On: 12/4/2013
Views: 4369

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1441720_7081_011013035144.jpg

PURE-Decon/Sanosil, Reduces Sick Days Caused by Infection


Released On: 10/2/2013
Views: 3306

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1432264_7081_180913092550.jpg

Controlling Asthma & Allergy Triggers Through Source Identification

The assessment of allergens in a house dust sample is an essential step for allergen-avoidance and provides information essential for allergen-reducing measures, in addition to managing the indoor environment from a health and hygiene point of view

Released On: 9/18/2013
Views: 5391

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1394465_7081_310713091424.jpg

Hospitals Get a “Clean Bill of Health” with Innovative IAQ/Energy Solutions

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions.

Released On: 7/31/2013
Views: 4428

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1383403_7081_160713052448.jpg

How Safe is Formaldehyde in our Buildings and Homes?


Released On: 7/17/2013
Views: 4673

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1381447_7081_100713012849.jpg

Commercial Energy Solutions Seminar July 26, 2013


Released On: 7/11/2013
Views: 4742

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1368735_7081_260613123754.jpg

Health Risks Associated With Indoor Microbes

Some common and frequently reported microbes of the indoor environment include, but are not limited to, viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, mold (fungi), yeast, protozoa, etc.

Released On: 6/26/2013
Views: 5913

https://s3.amazonaws.com/findit-pictures/7081/1366510_7081_190613125124.jpg

Aspergillosis: A Cause for Indoor Concerns?

In indoor environments, this fungus can be transported from outside or may propagate on building materials such as cellulose rich sheet rocks, etc. and can generally be isolated from floors, carpets, mattress dust, Heating Ventilation Air Conditi ...

Released On: 6/19/2013
Views: 10473

Load More wait

Map

Pure Air Control, Services, Inc.

Get Directions

Pure Air Control, Services, Inc.

  • 4911 Creekside Drive
    Clearwater, Florida 33760
    United States
  • 1 (800) 422-7873