March 25, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Proposed California Safe Water Legislation

As a result of the lack of access to clean water in public schools and state agencies, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has introduced Bill 1144, the Safe and Efficient Water Act. In recent years, school drinking water has been at unacceptable levels. Of the reporting school districts in California, 53% have reported contaminants in their drinking water.  Children are specifically at risk for experiencing long term health effects from contaminated drinking water. Common health issues include Legionnaires’ disease, liver and kidney problems, developmental and behavioral issues, and in some cases, cancer.  SB 1144 will require public schools and state…

READ MORE
March 20, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Ontario Provincial Government Considering Steps to Combat Legionella Growth

The provincial government in Ontario, Canada, is considering steps to thwart the growth of legionella bacteria. The province saw an increase in Legionnaires’ disease cases within the past year, with one outbreak being associated with ten confirmed cases and one potential death. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is encouraging the province to establish a registry of cooling towers and to require cooling tower sites to establish risk-management plans, a common source of legionella bacteria growth. The health board believes the registry will allow it to save time and resources identifying cooling tower sites, so it can more quickly respond…

READ MORE
March 15, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Proposed Pennsylvania Legionnaires’ Disease Legislation

As a result of the substantial increase in Legionnaires’ disease cases in Pennsylvania, state Senators Wayne Fontana (D-42) and Joe Pittman (R-41), in a bipartisan effort, have introduced legislation SB 1125 to help curtail the spread of Legionella bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the bacteria genus Legionella. Infection occurs when an infectious dose of the bacteria enters deeply into a susceptible person’s lungs, either by inhaling contaminated aerosolized water droplets, or by aspirating water into the lungs. A Senate Democrat hearing focusing on Legionella was held on May 5, 2021, where expert panelists testified that buildings shut down during the pandemic and…

READ MORE
May 8, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on Legionella Prevention

On Wednesday, May 5th Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual policy hearing on Legionella prevention in Pennsylvania and the concerns as buildings begin to reopen. Stagnant water, like that in buildings that have been closed for extended periods, provides an ideal environment for Legionella to grow. They are particularly vulnerable to bacterial growth, including Legionella, when the systems aren’t cared for properly. Despite these serious risks, there is currently no regulations in the state of Pennsylvania regarding legionnaires disease and water management. “Legionnaire’s disease is a largely preventable disease,” said Dr. Richard Miller, Co-Founder/President/Chief Scientific Officer at Environmental Safety Technologies, Inc. during the policy hearing…

READ MORE