NEW YORK CITY IS IGNORING TRUE SOURCE OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA

Scientific Community at Consensus, yet New York Elected and Health Officials Cling to Faulty Regulations

T his summer will mark two years since the infamous outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx caused New York City regulations, and one thing is crystal clear: The regulations have failed to protect public health. Since the illadvised regulations were put in place, the rate of Legionnaires’ disease has not year average. New Yorkers are more at risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease than anyone else in the nation. “Potable (drinking) water is the most important source of Legionella.” ~ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency The reason for this is simple: The regulations fail to address New York’s long-term water distribution system issues, the root cause for the vast majority of Legionnaires’ disease. the water system, New Yorkers will continue to get sick. Some will die. Scientists, medical health experts, and water-quality advocates all agree. Experts who have been studying

Legionella— the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’—have concluded that buildings become infected due to the water they receive from the public water supply and distribution system. There is a common misconception that community outbreaks require an air-dispersal source. In a 2014 report, the New Jersey Department of Health refuted that theory. “There is a need to update and expand the standard dogma,” the report said. “Public health investigators should not exclude the community water system from consideration as the disease transmission vector. Maintenance and disinfection of water distribution mains must also be included, particularly in community water systems supplied by surface water, where summer temperatures and nutrient levels can create conditions conducive for the Legionella growth Last month, iconic water and public health advocate Erin Brockovich held a passionate press conference in Albany urging lawmakers to stop ignoring the facts and put forward a real prevention plan focusing on the true source of the Legionella bacteria— the public water supply. The Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease has issued a comprehensive assessment of New York City’s regulations; the assessment is available for download on the Alliance’s website, www.preventLD.org. Additionally, Allergy & Asthma Network (AAN) has called for real solutions. “People with compromised lung function, like those with asthma, are at even greater risk,” said Tonya Winders, President and CEO of AAN. “New York City needs to address waterborne pathogens in the public water supply. We urge our health more people contract this preventable disease.”