EMSL Provides Testing Services for Legionella Found in Water Systems and Other Man-Made Environments

A Portland apartment complex for senior citizens recently experienced an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease after Legionella bacteria was found in the building’s water system. The outbreak led to one fatality, four hospitalized residents and more than 100 residents being urged to leave the apartment complex. This concern came to light after several senior residents contracted pneumonia.

Legionella is found naturally in the environment but can proliferate rapidly upon entering many man-made environments. This includes cooling towers, potable water systems, hot tubs, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems and decorative fountains. In this case, the bacteria was found in the potable water system of the apartment complex and the contaminated water droplets were inhaled, which caused the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in some residents.

“People 55 and older, and those with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems are at increased risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease, which the CDC states can be fatal in about 10% of the cases,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “It’s important for apartment complexes, universities and other buildings to actively maintain their water systems and test them regularly for Legionella. Taking proactive measures to test these man-made water systems, as part of an organized water management program to detect Legionella exposure risks, can limit illnesses, outbreaks and fatalities. If an outbreak has already occurred, testing can be instrumental for identifying the source of the bacteria before more cases of Legionnaires’ disease are contracted.”

EMSL Analytical, Inc., with testing laboratories across the United States and Canada, offers traditional culturing methods, rapid quantitative PCR and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) test methods to identify Legionella from all types of environmental samples. All 20 of our Legionella laboratories have received the CDC’s Certificate of Proficiency from its ELITE Program for Legionella testing and another five locations are NYSDOH ELAP Legionella certified laboratories.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. recently sponsored an educational video about Legionella and monitoring building water that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/F_Ggg_uaL_s.

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 is one of the leading testing laboratories with 46 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC 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