Lawmakers in New York are proposing stricter regulations and more frequent inspections of cooling towers following two recent outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe pneumonia caused by the legionella bacterium. The bacteria thrive in poorly maintained water systems found in large air-conditioning units, such as those in hotels, hospitals, and high-rise buildings, where stagnant water can spread the illness through airborne droplets. With new lawsuits emerging, officials aim to prevent future cases by tightening maintenance standards and oversight of these high-risk systems. The push comes as health concerns over the preventable infection grow.
State and city lawmakers push to boost regulations after two outbreaks of the disease over the last two summersNew York lawmakers are now trying to better protect residents from the deadly legionnaires’ disease by increasing regulations and inspections of cooling towers after two outbreaks of the infection over the last two summers and a raft of new lawsuits.Legionnaires’ disease is a serious pneumonia caused by a bacterium called legionella. It often comes from large air-conditioning systems, like those used in hotels, hospitals and high-rise buildings, because the cooling towers contain water to remove heat. If not well maintained, the liquid can foster the bacteria, which can then be swept into fans and circulated through the air. Continue reading...
