The summer of 1976 was marked by a mysterious illness that would forever change the landscape of public health.

Why is this important?

• Do you own a building?
• Do you manage one?
• Is your company’s air system based on water cooling towers?

The American Legion, an organization founded after World War I and renowned for its advocacy on veterans and their family affairs, held its 58th annual convention at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, celebrating the nation’s bicentennial. Against this backdrop of patriotism and festivity, a health crisis was quietly unfolding.

In the political arena, Gerald Ford was the sitting president following the resignation of the 37th president. Meanwhile, the election campaign was in full swing, with Jimmy Carter appearing as the Democratic Party candidate.

According to Time magazine’s article “The Philadelphia Killer” dated August 16, 1976, Air Force Captain Ray Brennan, a 61-year-old veteran, became the first known victim on July 27 of an unknown illness, later named Legionnaires’ Disease.

Thanks to investigations by CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the leadership of Joseph McDade, they were able to discover the Legionnaires disease Bacterium a year after the first occurrence.

Where can we find this and what are the tools to combat this disease? According to the CDC, the bacterium can grow in:

• Building water systems
• Hot tubs
• Decorative fountains
• Ice machines
• Heater-cooler units
• Swimming pools
• Fire suppression systems.
• And others.

Keep in mind that infection can occur by aspiration or sometimes from soil. However, the primary reason people become infected is by inhaling microscopic water droplets that have the bacteria.

“L. pneumophila can multiply in tap water at temperatures as high as 42C (107F), while enteric bacilli are inhibited at the elevated temperatures. The bacteria survive even higher temperatures. L. pneumophila has been isolated from hot water tanks that were kept at temperatures between 30C (86F) and 54C (129F), but not from tanks held at 71C(159F) to 77C (170F).” **

**(Page 72, Legionnaires Disease: Historical Perspective, Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine Washington C. Winn jr. Clinical Microbiology Review, Jan 1988, American Society for Microbiology)

How can we combat this?

Cooling tower water treatment systems and any other type of equipment that use non-sterile water must employ chemical products to prevent Legionella. These can range from chlorine-based solutions to sophisticated UV lights.

The CDC can help identify areas with potential problems and offer training and courses. Additionally, the National Library of Medicine provides strategies to follow.

When it comes to your office A/C or the water fountain at the entrance, we offer a range of products that can help. These may include hydrogen peroxide-based products, monochloramine, or chlorine dioxide.

Ensure the safety of your building’s water systems by using these effective treatments. Share this valuable information with colleagues to promote a healthier environment.

And if you can reach out to me, we can debate some ideas and find common ground. After all, we are all neighbors just a text or email apart.”

What do you think? 😊