The Problem

• Legionnaires’ disease or Legionellosis can cause a severe bacterial infection of the respiratory tract that has pneumonia like symptoms.   It can be an overwhelming and sometimes fatal illness.
• Over 40 individual Legionella species are known.
• The majority of Legionella infections are caused by the species Legionella pneumophila
• Legionella is contracted through inhalation or aspiration of the bacteria into the lungs.
• Legionella is commonly found in water.
• Legionella’s “safe haven” is biofilm which is prevalent in all water systems.
• In the past, methods of Legionella control have been saturating the water with chemicals, and ultra-high water temperatures.  Neither method has been shown to penetrate biofilm or provide much, if any, residual disinfection.