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Environmental Newsletter

Vol. 13, No. 12 - December 2024

Building Water System Monitoring to Prevent Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionellosis is a respiratory disease caused by a type of bacteria known as Legionella. It includes both Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever, which people can develop by breathing droplets of water from the air that are contaminated with the bacteria.

Legionella is naturally found in in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in man-made building water systems, such as:

Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Infection Control Resources to Protect Patients, Workers, and Building Occupants

Enterococci are bacteria that are normally present in the human intestines and are also often found in the environment in soil and water. These bacteria can cause infections and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that they are constantly finding new ways to avoid the effects of the antibiotics used to treat those infections.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is the name for the bacteria resistant to the antibiotic known as vancomycin. When the CDC released the 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States report, VRE was listed as a serious threat. In the report, VRE was said to have caused an estimated 54,500 infections among hospitalized patients and 5,400 deaths in the United States in 2017 alone.

New Cal/OSHA Lead Standards to Safeguard Workers Set to Begin Next Month

Earlier this year, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) announced that proposed amendments to the agency’s Lead Standards T8 CCR sections 5198, 5155, and 5132.1., had been approved. The updated regulations will be enforceable beginning January 1, 2025.

Through these actions, California aims to significantly reduce workers' risk of lead poisoning by enforcing lower exposure thresholds and emphasizing workplace cleanliness. The updated lead standards introduce stricter regulations for general industry and construction, and include:

Respirator Fit Testing & Training

At CSC, we understand the health and safety of healthcare professionals are paramount. That's why we specialize in providing top-quality respirator fit testing and training to ensure that your team is protected against airborne hazards in clinical settings.