Brooklyn Condominiums Facing Lawsuit After Infant Contracts Legionnaires’ Disease

Earlier this month, the New York Daily News published an article regarding a family that was forced to relocate down south after their infant son contracted Legionnaires’ disease from their New York apartment. The infant’s mother was also diagnosed with the disease, while the infant’s 3-year-old brother caught pneumonia at the same time. It was found that the cause of the family’s illness was due to the buildings cooling tower testing positive for the Legionella bacteria, for at least the second time. The owners and operators of the Brooklyn-based condominiums are now being sued by the family, who state they faced extreme financial and emotional hardship due to this, for negligence and breach of contract.

Legionella is spread to humans when they inhale contaminated droplets of water. People can then develop Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever, especially if they have a weakened or suppressed immune system. This is why it is important to test water sources that could harbor the bacteria. These sources typically include cooling towers in addition to potable water systems, hot tubs, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems and decorative fountains.

Regular maintenance of cooling towers and other manmade water sources is essential for controlling the growth of Legionella in these systems. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), these systems should be properly monitored and maintained according to manufacturers’ recommendations to prevent buildup of scale, sediment and bio-fouling.

“Proactive testing can help prevent outbreaks of this potentially fatal disease or pinpoint the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred,” said Christopher Goulah, Ph.D., Legionella Technical Manager at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Testing is the only way to know for sure if Legionella is present in a cooling tower or other source.”

To test for Legionella and other microbial pathogens, EMSL Analytical, Inc. 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. EMSL offers traditional culturing methods and advanced PCR and DNA sequencing methods along with all the sampling supplies necessary to properly collect and submit samples.

EMSL also offers a complimentary Legionella Pocket Guide. It provides an overview of Legionella, discusses sampling techniques, ways to test for it in the laboratory, and emergency remediation. To request a copy, please visit: http://emsl.com/legionellapocketguide.

To learn more about Legionella or other microbial testing services, please visit www.LegionellaTesting.com or 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 45 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