Legionella Exposure Risks in Hot Tubs: What You Need to Know

Hot tubs may pose a greater health threat than many users realize. Legionella bacteria, which can thrive in the warm, aerated water these systems produce, can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia that kills approximately 10% of those infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Legionella bacteria occur naturally in water but become hazardous when they multiply in human-made water systems. Hot tubs present an especially elevated risk due to three critical factors:

1. they maintain water temperatures in the ideal range for bacterial growth (77–113°F),
2. they generate aerosols that people inhale, and
3. the warm conditions accelerate the breakdown of disinfectants meant to kill the bacteria.
   
   

People can be exposed to Legionella when the bacteria colonize hot tub water systems and multiply. The unique characteristics of hot tubs create a perfect storm for Legionella growth and transmission. Beyond hot tubs, Legionella contamination has been documented in showerheads, decorative fountains, cooling towers, hot water heaters, and large plumbing systems.

Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate these exposure risks. The CDC offers design recommendations, water management program tips, plus information about operation, maintenance, and control limits. To help share this information, Clark Seif Clark recently sponsored an educational video with many of these suggestions, which can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Nwx2M8LjFE0

CSC’s industrial hygiene, infection control, and environmental professionals offer water management programs that include Legionella testing, monitoring, consulting, and training services. Their experts can create a proactive plan to help prevent new cases of Legionnaires’ disease or to quickly identify the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.

To learn more about this or other environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com, or call 800-807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC)
Since 1996, CSC has helped clients in both the public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational health, and environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers, and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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