State Orders Cooling Towers Cleaned in 30 Days Amid Legionnaires’ Outbreak
(DNAINFO) Jeff Mays — All cooling towers in the state must be inspected within 30 days and examined every three months under regulations adopted by the state Department of Health Monday to stop the spread of Legionnaires’ disease.
The rules, which take effect immediately, come after New York City passed a law last week governing the registration, inspection and decontamination of all city cooling towers.
The city is dealing with the largest and deadliest outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in its history. So far, 12 people have died and 124 have been sickened in the South Bronx since July 12.
State and city officials agreed last week that the state regulations would use the framework of the city’s law.
“Our new emergency regulations will make sure that building owners live up to their responsibilities and provide health officials with critical information to counter the spread of legionella bacteria,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “I want to reassure all New Yorkers: We are addressing the problem at its source and protecting the public health, statewide.”