Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a new website, Legionella in the Indoor Environment. In it, the agency shares the following:
Legionella is a type of bacteria that is found naturally in lakes, streams, ponds, other freshwater settings, and in some soils. It can also be found in water distribution systems and plumbing in buildings.
The bacteria become a health concern when they grow and spread in a building’s water system, such as in water pipes and all devices that use water. Showerheads, sink faucets, and humidifiers can create a mist, or small droplets, which can release the bacteria into the air. People can become infected with Legionella when they breathe in the mist or small droplets that contain the bacteria.
Legionella can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious type of pneumonia or a milder influenza-like illness known as Pontiac fever. Symptoms may include:
• Cough
• Fever
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Shortness of breath
Other symptoms, such as confusion, diarrhea, or nausea can also occur.
Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick; however, some individuals may be more susceptible, including:
• People 50 years or older
• Current or former smokers
• People with weakened immune systems or who are immunocompromised
• People with a chronic lung disease or cancer
• People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure
For people who do become ill with Legionnaire’s disease, identifying and treating the illness early can increase the chances of getting better. Tragically, about 1 in 10 people who get sick with Legionnaires’ disease die due to complications from the illness.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Legionella exposure risks in the indoor environment. To learn more about this or infection control, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a new website, Legionella in the Indoor Environment. In it, the agency shares the following:
Legionella is a type of bacteria that is found naturally in lakes, streams, ponds, other freshwater settings, and in some soils. It can also be found in water distribution systems and plumbing in buildings.
The bacteria become a health concern when they grow and spread in a building’s water system, such as in water pipes and all devices that use water. Showerheads, sink faucets, and humidifiers can create a mist, or small droplets, which can release the bacteria into the air. People can become infected with Legionella when they breathe in the mist or small droplets that contain the bacteria.
Legionella can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious type of pneumonia or a milder influenza-like illness known as Pontiac fever. Symptoms may include:
• Cough
• Fever
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Shortness of breath
Other symptoms, such as confusion, diarrhea, or nausea can also occur.
Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick; however, some individuals may be more susceptible, including:
• People 50 years or older
• Current or former smokers
• People with weakened immune systems or who are immunocompromised
• People with a chronic lung disease or cancer
• People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure
For people who do become ill with Legionnaire’s disease, identifying and treating the illness early can increase the chances of getting better. Tragically, about 1 in 10 people who get sick with Legionnaires’ disease die due to complications from the illness.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Legionella exposure risks in the indoor environment. To learn more about this or infection control, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
