The state Health Department enacted emergency regulations to combat Legionnaires’ disease Monday – requiring building owners to register and test their cooling towers within 30 days.
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The regulations were announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo after 12 people died in the Bronx and more than 120 people got ill from a spread of the disease.
Cooling towers in the Bronx are believed to have housed Legionella bacteria that led to the largest outbreak of the disease in New York City history.
According to the governor’s office, the “framework” for the regulations today was drafted in consultation with the mayor’s office and the Council.
The state is also setting up a hotline – (888) 769-7243 – to answer any questions about the disease or provide tips.
New York State will begin inspecting cooling towers, and create penalties for those who don’t follow regulations. Before the outbreak, no city records were kept as to which buildings had cooling towers. All building owners must use a statewide electronic system to register and to report actions required by the new regulations. Immediate disinfection is required if culture sample testing demonstrates a need. Testing must be performed every 90 days or “in accordance with a maintenance program and plan obtained by the building owner”. Every cooling tower in the impact zone has been disinfected and remediated. The company said no medications were tainted because the cooling towers are external units that have no contact with employees or products.
Building owners not in compliance with the rules would be subject to civil or criminal penalties.
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The emergency regulations are in effect for 90 days, after which they will become permanent.
