With this, Greg Rankin, CEO at Hydrosense explores the fundamental flaws in the long-established ‘gold standard’ laboratory culture testing method for Legionella, and makes the case for why it is time for health and safety professionals to adopt a next-generation approach to Legionella detection.
There are a number of factors that may help explain the recent surge in cases of Legionnaires’ disease - a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by inhaling Legionella bacteria - across the UK in recent years.
Foremost, Legionella bacteria thrive in temperatures between 25°C and 42°C, particularly under conditions of frequent temperature fluctuations. As climate change continues to alter our environmental conditions, rising temperatures, longer warm seasons and shifting rainfall patterns are creating more favourable conditions for Legionella to thrive in water systems.
At the same time, the UK’s aging water infrastructure is compounding the problem. Slow water flow in older pipes can lead to stagnation, providing ideal conditions for Legionella to multiply. Over time, corrosion and sediment build-up promote biofilm formation, which serves as a nutrient source for the bacteria. Many legacy plumbing systems also lack modern design features, such as efficient temperature control and disinfection mechanisms, that help prevent bacterial growth.
Adding to the risk is the demographic reality that the UK’s population is aging. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to Legionnaires’ disease, with a higher likelihood of severe illness and complications. Immunity-related conditions are also on the rise in the UK, with increasing numbers of people affected by autoimmune disorders and immunosuppressive illnesses that leave them more vulnerable to infections such as Legionnaires’ disease.
Combine all these factors, and it becomes clear why Legionella cases are rising sharply across the UK, with 2023 recording the highest number of confirmed cases in recent years. One study estimates that nearly ten new cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported every week and the consensus among health experts is that this upward trend is likely to continue.
The end result is that it is becoming more important than ever for health and safety (H&S) professionals to pay extra diligence to how they assess, test, and control the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria in the face of rapidly increasing risk.
So, what is to be done? Foremost, the recommendation is for H&S professionals and duty holders to prioritise more frequent and more robust water quality testing for Legionella in water and plumbing systems.
Of course, most professionals will already be well acquainted with the standard lab-culture method as the oldest and most widely accepted technique for the detection of Legionella bacteria. However, this approach has limitations that can hinder timely responses to potential outbreaks.
Foremost, most lab culture tests take 7-10 days to return results. Yet Legionella can double in a day. This large time lag means increased exposure and risk for businesses, employees, and the public. Water samples can also get damaged in the transportation process, potentially killing the Legionella inside and increasing the risk of a false negative result. Lab culture testing is also unable to detect Viable but Non-Culturable (VBNC) Legionella – which though dormant can still be incredibly dangerous due to their ability to resuscitate and cause an infection. The result can be a false sense of security, with the potential for lab results to state a negative outcome when repeated tests confirm non-conformance.
Arguably then, as the challenges posed by Legionella evolve, there is a clear case for H&S operators to reconsider their testing strategies and embrace more innovative, efficient methods.
One such example can be found in the latest generation of rapid Legionella testing which has been purposefully designed to overcome the limitations of traditional Legionella detection by providing on-site testing without the need for lab facilities. Incredibly easy, these tests enable users to inspect water systems in only 25 minutes and provide an accurate and reliable result on the presence or absence of Legionella pneumophila bacteria
The benefits of using this smart and simple method in addition to traditional testing methods are vast. Principally, rapid testing facilitates early detection of Legionella, which is essential in preventing outbreaks. In this way, the ability to gain an immediate picture of Legionella empowers H&S professionals and duty holders to react promptly to contamination and take appropriate action, thereby significantly minimising the risk of exposure.
Improved resource allocation is another major benefit for busy H&S providers, whereby teams can action remediation efforts almost immediately upon detection rather than having to wait on delayed lab results. Further down the line too, these type of tests can be used to support immediate remediation works through the ability to check post-remediation efficacy in real-time as opposed to having to wait for a lab to confirm for nearly two weeks. In this way, by implementing rapid testing methods, professionals can demonstrate a robust, proactive health and safety that goes even beyond compliance and, in turn, secure peace of mind in knowing they have done the utmost to alleviate what is an increasing Legionella risk.
There is no disputing the correlation between our warming world, aging infrastructure, increasingly vulnerable demographic and soaring Legionella rates, a trend that will only continue to proliferate. With this, it becomes even more important that H&S professionals, take advantage of the opportunity for faster, more immediately actionable, and more frequent Legionella testing. By prioritising these advancements, they can maintain absolute best practice, ensure safer water systems for all and keep themselves out of hot water.
For further information please visit: https://hydrosense-legionella.com/
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About Hydrosense:
Hydrosense is on a mission to make Legionella detection easier, faster, and more effective than ever before with its innovative, world-leading rapid Legionella testing solutions.
Ideal for industries that require more stringent action levels, Hydrosense overcomes the limitations of traditional lab-culture testing with its innovative Hydrosense Legionella testing kits. This includes the Hydrosense PRO range, which can detect the presence of Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1-15, and the Hydrosense ONE range, which can detect the presence of Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 only. Easy to use, accurate, and with results delivered in just 25 minutes, the result is the early detection of problems, speedy remedial action, and a reduction in potential exposure and the associated risks.