Legionella Testing Services

Salem, New Hampshire, October 28, 2024

Last month, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) announced it had identified 5 people who developed Legionnaire’s disease in June and July. All of the individuals may have been exposed to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind a resort in the downtown area of Lincoln, New Hampshire, according to the agency.

Legionnaire’s disease is a bacterial pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. DHHS warns that while most healthy people who are exposed to Legionella bacteria do not get sick, the cooling tower in this case was still in operation while remediation was ongoing. Due to this, there may be some risk of exposure to the public, especially for people within a half-mile of the cooling tower’s location.

“DHHS has confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria contaminating the cooling tower following testing conducted by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Legionnaires' disease can be fatal in up to 10% of diagnosed cases which is why it is so important to properly maintain cooling towers and other potential man-made sources of the bacteria.”

To support proactive water management programs or to identify the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred, EMSL Analytical offers rapid PCR and Whole Genome Sequencing methods, as well as traditional culturing methods, to identify Legionella from environmental samples. These same tests can be utilized to confirm remediation and disinfection efforts have been successful after the discovery of the bacteria. A number of EMSL’s laboratories have received the CDC’s Certificate of Proficiency from its Elite Program for Legionella testing and some are also NYSDOH ELAP Legionella certified.

To spread awareness of the potential exposure risks to Legionella, EMSL has sponsored an educational video that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/ZP9AotQ2_gE

To learn more about Legionella and other infection control testing services, please visit www.LegionellaTesting.com or www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com, or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.