Legionella Exposure Risks from the Indoor Environment in Puerto Rico

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a new website, Legionella in the Indoor Environment. In it, the agency shares that Legionella is a type of bacteria that is found naturally in lakes, streams, ponds, other freshwater settings, and in some soils. Unfortunately, it can also be found in water distribution systems and plumbing in buildings.

The bacteria become a health concern when they grow and spread in a building’s water system, such as in water pipes and all devices that use water. Showerheads, sink faucets, and humidifiers can create a mist, or small droplets, which can release the bacteria into the air. People can then become infected with Legionella when they breathe in the mist or small droplets that contain the bacteria.

Legionella can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious and potentially deadly type of pneumonia or a milder influenza-like illness known as Pontiac fever. Symptoms may include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Shortness of breath

“Other symptoms, such as confusion, diarrhea, or nausea can also occur,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Fortunately, most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick; however, some individuals may be more susceptible. These include people 50 years or older, current or former smokers, anyone with a weakened immune system or immunocompromised, people with a chronic lung disease or cancer, and those with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure.”

To identify and mitigate Legionella exposure risks in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, the industrial hygiene, infection control, and environmental professionals at Zimmetry offer water management programs that include Legionella testing, monitoring, consulting, and training services. Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video that shares some of the EPA’s information about Legionella in the indoor environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/I900sIkU1Ig

To learn more about Zimmetry’s water, air, environmental, infection control, and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail