If you suspect Legionella at your facility, contact Chardon Laboratories for fast response services. Rapidly responding to suspected cases is critical as it helps limit exposure, hinder an outbreak, demonstrate your compliance commitment and protect your brand image. Legionella causes potential health risks like Legionellosis. To avoid these effects, Chardon Labs can help you control Legionella. Our ASSE 12080-certified service managers will respond quickly and effectively to minimize downtime and help you remain compliant.
Legionella is a bacterium that naturally occurs in freshwater. When a facility’s cooling towers and plumbing systems create the right conditions, the bacteria can grow and multiply rapidly. It thrives in temperatures between 68°F and 122°F or 20°C and 50°C. Legionella also loves stagnant or low-flow water and areas with sediment or scale.
If a person inhales mist containing the bacteria, they may get Legionellosis, which can manifest in two forms: Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. The risk of infection is higher in individuals with weakened immunity, such as older adults, smokers and people with diabetes.
The common symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are coughs, fever, muscle aches, headaches, and shortness of breath. Acting fast during suspected cases may protect your crew from infection, especially if you have members in the high-risk demographic. Consider executing a Pontiac fever and Legionnaires’ disease response practice that involves encouraging employees to seek medical attention if they present these symptoms.
Upon suspecting a Legionella case at your facility, reach out to us immediately to speak to an expert. We will schedule a quick assessment to help us gather the necessary data.
Our response procedure entails:
Our service managers will evaluate your water systems, disinfectant levels and maintenance records. We investigate areas with warm temperatures and stagnation. Once we identify potential areas of growth, our team will collect samples for testing.
Rapid Legionella testing will help us confirm your suspicions. We work with Special Pathogens, Inc., our third-party lab partner, to perform fast tests that are compliant with the Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) program.
If the test results indicate Legionella levels above the control limits, we will implement hyperchlorination. Chlorine kills Legionella bacteria by penetrating the cell wall and oxidizing enzymes to disrupt the metabolism. It also damages the bacteria’s DNA to prevent cell replication. We can also superheat the system and flush it to remediate Legionella. Our technicians will also implement OSHA’s decontamination procedure for cooling towers.
To sustain the new conditions, we will develop a water management plan that includes:
A high positive test result indicates system vulnerability to Legionella growth. To avoid re-contamination, our team will conduct routine monitoring and testing, allowing us to detect and address risk factors early. This practice also enables us to adjust the management plan accordingly.
“I have been extremely happy with the service provided by Chardon Laboratories. Domonic has been very helpful with all aspects of our systems, especially concerning Cooling Towers. My hope is that we can continue to keep working together for a…
Chardon Labs is an expert in industrial water treatment. Since 1965, we have addressed numerous water issues, including Legionella, helping businesses maintain safe and efficient facilities. We understand industrial systems well and can identify risk factors quickly.
Our commitment to exceptional customer service and compliance positions us as reliable experts. We follow ASHRAE Standard 188 guidelines and industry safety standards at every job.
Do you suspect your systems have Legionella? If so, call us at 380-224-7395 or contact us online to protect your team. We will work quickly and efficiently to restore safe system conditions, providing you with peace of mind.
