Legionella in the workplace

Introduction

Legionella is a family of pathogenic waterborne bacteria, some of which cause a group of infections called legionellosis. The Legionnaires’ disease is the most severe form of legionellosis.This article provides an overview of Legionella and explains how growth within constructed water or air conditioning systems leads to exposure. It includes the range of symptoms and the worker groups at high risk. Wherever conditions in a water or air conditioning system are right for Legionella growth and transmission, there is a risk of Legionella infection. Therefore, unless Legionella is controlled in these systems, workers and public alike are at risk.…