New York, NY—According to health officials New York City buildings with water-cooling towers must assess and disinfect the units within the next two weeks under an order issued on Thursday in response to the outbreak of Legionnaires’
disease in the South Bronx.. As of August 10th, there have been 12 deaths and over 114 hospitalizations. On August 6th, Mayor deBlasio of New York City announced that every cooling tower must be tested and inspected for Legionella. Estimates now indicate that there are at least 2,500 cooling towers in New York City.
Dr. Rajiv Sahay, Legionella Program Manager (LPM) and Laboratory Director at Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) a CDC ELITE laboratory stated that “we look forward to
continuing to work with many facilities staff in helping them build a strong proactive Legionella program (PLP) in their facilities.” Dr. Sahay further stated that “regular proactive maintenance and monitoring of the facilities water systems is extremely beneficial in avoiding risk of legionella associated concerns and outbreaks.”
According to Building Operating Management magazine, expert Victor Yu, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Chief, Infectious Disease Section, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA disclosed that “Up to 70% of all buildings greater than three stories in the US may be contaminated with legionella.”
Francisco Aguirre, Director of Building Sciences at Pure Air Control Services stated “legionella bacteria is found naturally in the environment, usually in water. The bacteria grow best in warm water, like the kind found in cooling towers, hot water tanks, misters, atomizers, plumbing systems, HVAC systems, potable water or decorative fountains and hot tubs.’
“EDLab (CDC ELITE) / Pure Air Control Services is available and has the capacity to handle any size of legionella outbreak or concern” stated Dr Sahay, Legionella Program Manager and Laboratory Director with EDLab.
For information on legionella risk assessments or disinfecting contact Pure Air Control Services at 1-800-422-7873 ext 802.
For more information on developing a proactive Legionella testing program for your buildings call the Building Scientists at Pure Air Control Services or go to: Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDlab) a CDC ELITE laboratory (contact Dr. Rajiv Sahay 1-800-422-7873 ext 303).
About Pure Air Control Services, Inc.
Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services, Inc. in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm. Today, the firm sets the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis and remediation.
Pure Air Control Services nationally performed services include: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check; EDLab a CDC ELITE Environmental Microbiology Laboratory; Environmental Project Management; PURE-Steam Coil Cleaning, HVAC system cleaning and Mold Remediation Services, among other indoor environmental services.
The company’s expanding client roster includes the Jones, Lang LaSalle (JLL), FAA, General Services Administration (GSA); Allstate Insurance; CBRE, Carrier Air Conditioning; NAVFAC, DOT, USACE, US Army, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services the reliable industry leader.
For more information on Pure Air Control Services, Inc. please contact Alan Wozniak or Dr Rajiv Sahay (800) 422-7873 ext 802 or 303 respectively, or visit: www.pureaircontrols.com