New York City’s inspections for the Legionella bacteria in cooling towers have hit a record post-pandemic low, with just 1,167 inspections completed as of June, according to city health data. The decline is attributed to a staffing shortage at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The agency is responsible for testing water in cooling towers and issuing violations to building owners who fail to comply with prevention measures. However, this year’s numbers are set to be an all-time low, with only 269 violations issued as of April.
Experts warn that regular inspections are crucial in preventing outbreaks of the deadly disease. Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse noted that increased inspections helped stop the spread of Legionnaires’ disease in Harlem after the outbreak began in late July.
A review of cooling tower registration and inspection data shows that over 1,900 towers have not been inspected since 2023, with 85 having no record of city inspection. The towers cool apartments and large buildings by circulating water through air conditioning systems, creating a risk for Legionella bacteria to grow if not properly inspected and treated.
The current outbreak has sickened 73 people, three of whom are fatal, highlighting the need for regular inspections to prevent such incidents in the future.
Source: https://gothamist.com/news/legionnaires-inspections-sank-to-near-record-low-ahead-of-nyc-outbreak