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Legionella, a menacing bacterium lurking in water systems, poses a genuine threat, leading to severe lung infections like Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever. While Legionella exists naturally in freshwater environments, its proliferation in man-made water systems such as cooling towers, hot tubs, and plumbing can result in health hazards.

Legionella sample results, ranging from "non-detectable" to "high," play a pivotal role in gauging the extent of Legionella growth, a key factor in the chain leading to Legionnaires' disease. The ultimate objective is to curtail the potential for bacterial amplification. While achieving 100% non-detectable samples may not be imperative, understanding and interpreting these levels are paramount.

Cooling towers are one of the most common places where Legionella can grow, as they provide the warm, moist environment that the bacteria needs to thrive. There are a number of different treatments that can be used to control Legionella in cooling tower water covered in our article.

The AAMI ST standard (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Sterilization) plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of water used in the processing of medical devices. As the medical industry continues to advance, it becomes increasingly important to adhere to these standards to guarantee the safety and effectiveness of medical instruments.

If Legionella is found in a commercial building's water system, it is important to take steps to remediate the problem. Learn about some of the methods that can be used for Legionella remediation.

To prevent the spread of Legionnaires' disease, it is important to test water systems for Legionella on a regular basis. The standard procedures for Legionella water testing vary depending on the type of water system, but some common steps include: