Brought to you by East Alabama Regional Planning Commission

Environmental Professionals Protect People from Legionella Bacteria

Mon, 6 Aug 2012 14:19:23 EST

Few people think they are putting their lives at risk when they sit down to enjoy a relaxing moment in a hot tub, but improperly maintained hot tubs can harbor deadly microbial pathogens.  That is believed to be just the case in a recent outbreak of Legionnaires' disease that occurred in the United Kingdom.  17 of 18 cases of the disease in that outbreak can be traced back to exposure to a hot tub.
 
Cases of legionellosis, related to hot tubs, have been an ongoing concern for indoor air quality professionals for years.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has even developed a handout entitled, 'Facts About Legionella and Hot Tubs'.  In it, the agency warns certain groups of people to be especially careful around hot tubs.  Those groups include people who are 65 years old or older, smokers, people suffering from chronic lung diseases, and those with a weakened immune system.
 
Legionella is a type of Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.    Both Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires' disease, collectively and individually know as legionellosis, are caused by exposure to the bacteria.
 
Legionnaires' disease is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Pontiac Fever is a much milder infection. The incubation period after exposure for Pontiac Fever is believed to be approximately 24 to 48 hours.  Symptoms of Pontiac Fever usually last for 2 to 5 days and may include fever, headaches, and muscle aches.  There is no pneumonia as is the case with Legionnaires' disease.
 
One company that provides insurance coverage for many of the leading indoor air quality (IAQ) and health and safety consulting companies that help prevent human exposure to Legionella is Legends Environmental Insurance Services, LLC. 'People need to be aware that hot tubs, cooling towers and other manmade environments can lead to exposure to this and other microbial pathogens,' reported Brian Mcfarland, Vice President of Legends Environmental Insurance Services.  'Legends is proud to be one of the leading insurance providers for professionals who work diligently to help protect people from exposure to Legionella and other infectious agents.'
 
Legends has sponsored an educational video about Legionella and Pontiac Fever that can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/kb56Q7kCaqk
 
To learn more about Legends Environmental Insurance Services please visit: www.Legends-enviro.com, call (800) 992-6999 ext 164 or email BrianM@Legends-enviro.com or Bill@Legends-enviro.com .
 
About Legends Environmental Insurance Services, LLC
Legends Environmental Insurance Services is nationally recognized as an innovator in providing environmental and restoration insurance programs.  The company has over 30 years experience providing these services in all 50 states.