Could car washes in the UK harbour Legionnaires’ disease?
6th March 2018
A medical expert who advises the Department of Health has warned that car washes in the UK could harbour Legionnaires’ disease.
The warning came after a study found two men became seriously ill with Legionnaires’ disease after inhaling infected water droplets from separate car washes in Italy.
According to UK microbiologist Dr Tom Makin the same risk applies in the UK. He told MailOnline: “Legionella bacteria grow in large numbers in water systems that get warm and remain idle for extensive periods of time, such as drive-through car wash systems. Car washes are capable of generating the right sized aerosols that can be inhaled into the lungs where the Legionella bacteria cause infection, such as pneumonia.”
Legionnaires’ disease affects around 500 people a year in England alone and is fatal in approximately one in 10 cases.
According to the Health & Safety Executive, employers should understand the health risks associated with legionella, and take appropriate precautions.
Need to book a Legionella Risk Assessment or Asbestos Survey?
Call us now on 0808 1080 766, complete our simple call back form or Click here to email and one of our team will contact you to discuss your requirement and provide a quote
Based near Stafford in Staffordshire we are ideally placed to carry out an Asbestos Survey or Legionella Risk Assessment in Stoke on Trent, Birmingham, West Midlands, Cheshire, Manchester East Midlands and North West
Legionella & Asbestos Services
Asbestos & Legionella Services April 2023See How Qube Have Provided Peace of Mind Since 2012Edgetech & Qube Environmental Partnership We can hardly believe that we began working together with Edgetech more than a decade ago. Beginning with our Asbestos...
5 Things You Should Know About Legionella
Legionella Introductory Q&A January 2023Legionella is often popping up in the news, unfortunately by the time many people hear the word “Legionella” it is for the wrong reasons.You may have seen headlines hitting the news before where unfortunately a person or a...