Hot Tubs, Spas and Mitigating Legionella Exposure Risks

Legionella is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in water, especially warm water. It is also the cause of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever, which can occur when people inhale small water droplets containing it. Tragically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 1 out of every 10 people who get sick with Legionnaires’ disease will die due to complications from their illness.

Legionella can become a significant health concern when it grows and multiplies in human-made water systems like:

• Decorative fountains and water features
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Large, complex plumbing systems
• Cooling towers
• Hot tubs

“Over the years, there have been numerous outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease associated with hot tubs and spas that have not been properly maintained at hotels, resorts, athletic facilities, and even on cruise ships,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Hot tubs not only maintain water temperatures within the most favorable range for Legionella growth, they also create aerosols and accelerate the decay of disinfectants warns the CDC. This is why water management programs to detect Legionella exposure risks from hot tubs and other water systems are so important to prevent illnesses, outbreaks, and even fatalities.”

EMSL Analytical, with laboratories across the United States and Canada, has decades of experience identifying environmental sources of Legionella. They offer traditional culture methods, and rapid PCR and Whole Genome Sequencing methods. A number of their laboratories have received the CDC’s Certificate of Proficiency from its Elite Program for Legionella testing and some are NYSDOH ELAP Legionella certified. EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video that shares some of the CDC’s tips to help mitigate Legionella exposure risks in hot tubs. The new video can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Nwx2M8LjFE0

To learn more about Legionella or other microbial testing resources, 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 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, VOCs, 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