By Hank Russell
After Legionnaires’ disease was detected inside a cooling tower of a Riverhead courthouse, the county health department stated that the tower has since been disinfected and tested. While there have been no reports of those infected or sickened by the disease, an attorney who concentrates his practice in Legionnaires’ disease cases says it is too early to tell.
On July 27, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services announced that the Legionella bacteria was discovered in a cooling tower atop the Suffolk County Supreme Courthouse, located at 1 Court Street off Griffing Avenue. The next day, in accordance with New York State requirements, the tower underwent online disinfection, with retesting taking place within three to seven days.
“The affected cooling tower is part of a closed loop system located on the roof of the building and is used only to cool the refrigerant,” Health Services said in a statement. “At no time was impacted air circulated into the building. Out of an abundance of caution, all outside air intake dampers have been shut down; we are notifying staff of this test result.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria which are spread through water droplets or mists. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headache and fever.
Those most at increased risk of the disease, according to the CDC, include those over the age of 50, current or former smokers, those with chronic lung disease such as emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), those with a weakened immune system or who have cancer, diabetes or kidney failure and those who take medications that weakens their immune system. Additionally, one in 10 people are likely to die from the disease.
The CDC also notes that the source of the disease is not restricted to cooling towers. It can come from shower heads, decorative fountains and hot tubs.
Ronald Katter, a New York attorney with the Katter Law Firm, says those who visited or worked at the courthouse, nearby residents and workers, and commuters at the Riverhead Long Island Rail Road station may have unknowingly inhaled Legionella bacteria.
“Many people think they are safe because they never stepped inside the courthouse, but that is a dangerous misconception,” Katter said. “Cooling towers breathe outward. This invisible plume of vapor can travel on local wind currents, meaning it’s a localized community issue. Anyone who frequented the Griffing Avenue corridor in late July needs to know what symptoms to watch for, and they need to understand that their right to a safe public environment may have been compromised.”