New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Protection Against Legionella Regulations effective July 6, 2016 (Regulations) describe requirements to protect individuals that may be affected by Legionella bacteria as a result of cooling tower or evaporative cooler operations (cooling units). The NYSDOH Regulations aim to reduce the risk of Legionella transmission with periodic maintenance and… Read More

Walden Engineer, Lou Goldstein, gets published by Civil and Structural Engineer Media! Throughout the United States and beyond, improper HVAC system maintenance may pose a health risk not only to immediate workers, but the surrounding community as a whole. Legionella bacteria (Legionella) were first discovered by public health officials in 1976, with their name stemming from… Read More

Now that Spring is here and your winterization measurres can be removed, it’s the time to make sure all of your Legionella-prevention items are in order.  As a reminder, all owners of cooling towers (including evaporative coolers) must prepare a Legionella Preventive Maintenance Plan (Plan) per New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Protection against… Read More

Legionella Prevention for Health Care Facilities When it comes to general hospitals and residential health care facilities, compliance with the New York State Legionella Regulations involves a unique set of standards when compared to other facilities where Legionella is a risk. Subpart 4-2 within Section 225(5)(a) of the New York State Public Health Law requires… Read More

As temperatures remain high over the next couple of months, water-cooled air conditioning systems such as cooling towers and evaporative coolers will be used across the country on a daily basis.  As long as the systems are on, the basin within these units will be filled with relatively stagnant, warm water.  This may sound innocuous;… Read More

Summer is Here: Is Your Facility Protected Against Legionella? As temperatures remain high over the next couple of months, water-cooled air conditioning systems such as cooling towers and evaporative coolers will be used across the country on a daily basis.  As long as the systems are on, the basin within these units will be filled… Read More

Are you confused on the differences between NYC and NYS Legionella Prevention Regulations? Read this! Since the major Legionella outbreak occurred in the Bronx during the summer of 2015, both New York State and New York City have enacted regulations that deal with Legionella-prevention in cooling towers, which include evaporative coolers. The regulations overlap a… Read More

Earlier this month, eight people were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease as part of an outbreak within a 20-block area of lower Washington Heights, New York. Now, 16 cases have been confirmed in Washington Heights and Hamilton Heights. The New York City Health Department is currently investigating this occurrence of Legionnaire’s disease. Seven of the eight… Read More

This summer, don’t forget about Legionella Prevention! Legionella Outbreaks in Recent History As a reminder, Legionella bacteria can multiply and survive at temperatures ranging from 68 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. As temperatures rise each year, an increase in incidents occurs nationwide, most often related to cooling towers that have not been properly maintained and inadequate… Read More

Legionnaire’s Disease is Preventable Recent outbreaks of Legionellosis (Legionnaire’s disease) have been traced to the uncontrolled release of Legionella Bacteria in mists generated from operational cooling towers and evaporative coolers (cooling units). Respiring or breathing in this bacteria can result in a pneumonia-like infection of the lungs which can prove fatal for people with compromised… Read More