Legionnaires’ disease (legionella pnuemophila) can be dangerous to your health and can impact residents in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.
Legionnaires’ disease (also known as legionellosis) is a severe form of pneumonia. It is caused by Legionella bacteria which are found in damp or wet environments, ranging from damp soils to spa baths.
You can catch Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in water droplets or air-borne liquid droplets that are contaminated by the bacteria.
You need to be concerned about the airborne contamination – this is where Pacific Decontamination Services provides a solution to kill legionella up to 99.99999%.
Legionnaires’ disease cannot be caught from other people or from animal contact.
Legionella pneumophila is found in warm water environments such as:
- air conditioning cooling towers in large buildings
- evaporative air conditioners
- showers, faucets, and hot water systems
- hot tubs, spa pools, fountains
- misting or droplet sprays
- water fountains.
Legionella is also associated with
- potting mixes
- gardening soils
- mulches
- composts
- soil conditioners.
How to Minimize the Risk of Legionella
Pacific Decontamination Services can neutralize legionella pnuemophila up to 99.99999% by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical into your home, air conditioner, shower, faucets, hot tub, spa, or any other item or location. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or fog.
Using potting mixes and gardening soils
Legionella bacteria can be found in potting mixes, composts, mulches, soil conditioners and gardening soils. This includes bagged material and soils purchased in bulk form, such as a trailer load of mulch.
They can be harmful to your health if you do not take some simple precautions.
When handling these materials:
Always wear gloves.
Wear a face mask to help avoid inhaling aerosols.
Open bagged material with care to avoid inhaling airborne particles in the mix.
Keep the mix damp while in use.
Wash your hands thoroughly after use.
Store potting mix in a cool place, out of the sun.
Domestic evaporative air conditioners
Evaporative units used for home air conditioning are a potential source of Legionnaires’ disease. Some simple steps should be followed to maintain your evaporative air conditioner.
Before summer:
Disconnect power to the unit.
Remove external weatherproof covers.
Remove filter pads, clean them thoroughly with a hose and replace with new filters if necessary.
Clean and scrub all waterways, including the bleed-off system and sump.
Close drains if required and fill with clean water.
Disinfect the unit by contacting Pacific Decontamination Services
At the end of summer:
Disconnect power to the unit.
Loosen any sediment and slime with a brush.
Drain all water from the unit’s tank and pipes.
Clean the tank and pump with a cloth soaked with a chlorine-based household bleach then flush with clean water.
Remove filter pads, hose clean and allow to dry.
Dry the internal components, leave drains open and fit covers to exposed units if required.
Contact Pacific Decontamination Services for disinfection and decontamination for surface and airborne threats.
Portable evaporative coolers
Portable evaporative units should be completely drained and cleaned at least once during hot weather, and left dry when not in use.
With all evaporative coolers always make sure the water supply is clean and fresh.
Refrigerated air conditioners
Units such as domestic refrigerated/reverse cycle integrated and split systems remove heat and moisture from the air without using water. They usually do not harbour Legionella bacteria.
Domestic hot water systems
Domestic plumbing systems must be installed and maintained correctly to ensure the risk of Legionella growth is minimised and to reduce the risk of scalding. Contact a reputable plumber or air conditioning business to get professional servicing.
Regularly flush hot/warm water pipe lines (for example showers, taps) to prevent water stagnating.
Regularly clean shower heads.
Consult with Pacific Decontamination Services for disinfecting and decontaminating both the surface and airborne threats.
Fountains
Fountains can create aerosols by splashing water, and are a particular risk if the water is warm or heated intermittently by submerged lighting.
Regular draining, cleaning and disinfection is recommended.
Nebulisers and humidifiers
Nebuliser bowls should be rinsed after each use, and the entire chamber and mask washed daily in warm water and dishwashing liquid.
All components should be rinsed and allowed to air dry.
Nebuliser pumps should be serviced and filters changed regularly, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Humidifiers should be emptied, cleaned in warm water and dishwashing liquid and rinsed each day.
All components should be allowed to air dry.
Only distilled water or water that has been boiled and allowed to cool should be used in humidification devices.
Hot Tubs – Spa baths – Whirlpools
Regularly clean and disinfect your spa as per manufacturer’s recommendations to control the growth of Legionella bacteria. Contact Pacific Decontamination Services to decontaminate your tub or spa parts and surfaces.
Pacific Decontamination Services can neutralize legionella pnuemophila up to 99.99999% by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical into your home, air conditioner, shower, faucets, hot tub, spa, or any other item or location. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or fog.
Click Here to View Types of Biological Organisms and Chemical Threats that Pacific Decontamination Kills and Neutralizes
We do not use a tent. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the premise for approximately 5 hours in total. Read more about how we work.
Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s strongest, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to 99.99999% of any allergen, germ, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.
What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of legionnaire’s disease and associated health hazards?
Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us!
Serving All of Vancouver Island: Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.
