Management of Legionella in Water Systems
English
By (author): and Medicine Board on Life Sciences Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice Committee on Management of Legionella in Water Systems Division on Earth and Life Studies Engineering Health and Medicine Division National Academies of Sciences Water Science and Technology Board
Legionnaires' disease, a pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium, is the leading cause of reported waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States. Legionella occur naturally in water from many different environmental sources, but grow rapidly in the warm, stagnant conditions that can be found in engineered water systems such as cooling towers, building plumbing, and hot tubs. Humans are primarily exposed to Legionella through inhalation of contaminated aerosols into the respiratory system. Legionnaires' disease can be fatal, with between 3 and 33 percent of Legionella infections leading to death, and studies show the incidence of Legionnaires' disease in the United States increased five-fold from 2000 to 2017.
Management of Legionella in Water Systems reviews the state of science on Legionella contamination of water systems, specifically the ecology and diagnosis. This report explores the process of transmission via water systems, quantification, prevention and control, and policy and training issues that affect the incidence of Legionnaires' disease. It also analyzes existing knowledge gaps and recommends research priorities moving forward.
Table of Contents- Front Matter
- Summary
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Diagnosis, Ecology, and Exposure Pathways
- 3 Quantification of Legionnaires' Disease and Legionella
- 4 Strategies for Legionella Control and Their Application in Building Water Systems
- 5 Regulations and Guidelines on Legionella Control in Water Systems
- Acronyms
- Appendix: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff