EMSL Offers Water Testing of Swimming Pools for Cryptosporidium, Pseudomonas and Legionella

According to a report published in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morality and Mortality Weekly Report a third of treated recreational waterborne disease outbreaks, during 2000 through 2014, occurred in hotel pools or hot tubs. The report describes that during this time period there were 493 outbreaks along with over 27,000 illnesses and eight deaths. These outbreaks have most commonly been attributed to Cryptosporidium, Pseudomonas and Legionella.

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that is tough enough to survive even in the most well maintained hot tubs, pools, and water playgrounds. Crypto is the leading cause of illness from recreational water. Symptoms include severe diarrhea that can be dangerous if the person doesn’t get enough fluid replacement. Crypto most often contaminates the water when an infected toddler or baby enters the water wearing a soiled diaper containing feces which contain the parasite. It can also contaminate water when a person infected with Crypto goes into the water. It is not necessary to have active diarrhea in order to contaminate the water since the parasite will wash off the skin around the anus. If any fecal accidents occur in these aquatic facilities they should be evacuated and disinfected immediately.

The next leading causes of these outbreaks are from Pseudomonas and Legionella. These are bacteria that can survive disinfectants in slimy areas of hot tubs, pools, and water playgrounds. Both can result in illness, with Legionella causing Legionnaires’ disease, which is a severe form of pneumonia that has long-term adverse health effects or Pontiac Fever which causes flu-like symptoms. Pseudomonas can cause hot tub rash and swimmer’s ear.

“Certain groups, including individuals who are 65 years of age or older, smokers, people with chronic lung disease, and individuals with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill when infected,” said Diane Miskowski, MPH, Legionella Subject Matter Expert at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This is why proactive testing of water sources and proper maintenance and disinfection procedures of pools and hot tubs are so instrumental in helping prevent these outbreaks.”

EMSL Analytical, Inc. offers testing for Cryptosporidium and other waterborne pathogens and rapid testing for fecal contamination using PCR. To learn more, please visit www.AquaticMicrobiologyLab.com. To test for Legionella and other microbial pathogens, EMSL has 20 laboratories that have received the CDC’s Certificate of Proficiency from the agency’s ELITE Program for Legionella testing. In addition, five locations are NYSDOH ELAP Legionella certified laboratories. To learn more about Legionella or other microbial testing services visit www.LegionellaTesting.com.

To order water testing bottles, please contact Anthony DeRosa at  ADerosa@EMSL.com . To learn more about EMSL’s other testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email  info@emsl.com  or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 44 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail