LTB 584/10 Legionnaires' Disease Link to Windscreen Washer/W

[brothermagrew]

No. 584 /10 Ref P13 Date: 30 June 2010

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues

Re: Legionnaires' Disease Link to Windscreen Washer/Wiper Water Reservoir Bottles:

Following the publication of a report regarding the above published on 14 June and widespread media coverage, the Health, Safety and Environment Department have been making enquires with the HSE, HPA and Employers to gauge the extent of risk to drivers and recommended precautions.

The facts are that on 14 June a "preliminary" study from the UK's Health Protection Agency (HPA) which was published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, had found an association between not using screen wash in wiper fluid and the risk of contracting Legionnaires' disease.

According to this new HPA study, motorists who don't use screenwash fluid to clean the windscreens with the wipers of their cars are at an increased risk of contracting the potentially dangerous Legionnaires' disease. Legionnaires' disease, caused by the legionella bacteria, is commonly linked to water systems such as air conditioning units, showers and fountains, where water is given off in a fine spray. The case control study looked into the potential risk factors for drivers and passengers, given that most cases of sporadic, or isolated, Legionnaires' disease are rarely traced to a source, and that drivers figure disproportionately among cases of sporadic Legionella infection.

The findings came to light after the HPA study found that the stagnant water used in car windscreen reservoir washer bottles may be a place where the bacteria thrive and may be responsible for nearly 20 percent of the cases of disease. Health experts noted that the risk of being infected with the deadly bug was five times higher for professional drivers as opposed to the general population. Warm stagnant water, such as that in a screen wash bottle, near a warm engine, may be a breeding ground for the legionella bacterium. When the small droplets of the contaminated water is sprayed through jets on to the windscreen, droplets may be inhaled, and could possibly cause the potentially fatal lung infection. This is the theory!

Researchers for the study interviewed 75 patients in England and Wales who had recovered from community acquired Legionnaires' disease between July 2008 and March 2009, comparing them to a group of matched people who had not experienced any similar infection. The study found two exposures associated with vehicle use where there was an increased risk of Legionnaires' disease: driving through industrial areas and driving or being a passenger in a vehicle without screenwash in its wiper fluid. Bacteriology experts have advised that the Legionella bacterium lives in the environment and will take advantage of warm water systems that are not cleaned out. These associations had not been previously identified.

However, the problem can be sorted out simply by adding screen wash which not only kills but also stops the growth of bacteria and it can be prevented very simply. Experts found traces of Legionella bacterium in cars without screenwash. In contrast there were no such incidents when the additive had been added.
The fact that the Health Protection Agency has published these findings should be of particular interest to fleet managers. HPA estimated that around 20% of community acquired sporadic cases could be attributed to this exposure. The 5-1 greater incidence in higher mileage drivers would suggest this could indeed be a factor and anyone responsible for vehicle maintenance and driving should be ensuring that anti-bacterial screenwash is always used in washer systems as a preventative measure.

Legionnaires' disease
Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia that is caused by the bacteria legionella. The ailment can affect anybody, but is dangerous in the aged, those with underlying health problems and those with a weak immune system. The bacteria is commonly found in soil, ponds, artificial water systems, and air conditioning systems. It is contracted when small droplets of contaminated water are breathed in. It cannot spread from person to person. Around 550 cases have been reported in England and Wales in the last couple of years. Around 10 percent can succumb to complications caused by the infection. The symptoms of the disease include severe lung infection, accompanied by fever, cough, and myalgias. The onset of the infection is abrupt, after an incubation period of two to 10 days. The disease is treated by intravenous antibiotics.

'Screenwash'
Most commercial brand 'Screenwash' contains Methanol, Isopropanol, detergent and water.

The HPA Report
Please see the attached copies of the HPA Press Release and the Official Report.

Footnote
It should be remembered that this is only a 'preliminary report' and it was a only small study and it has been recommended that further studies are now undertaken to further explore these findings. The HPA is exploring ways of taking this forward with partner organisations.

The study Windscreen wiper fluid without added screenwash in motor vehicles: a newly identified risk factor for Legionnaires' disease was published online in the European Journal of Epidemiology, on 8 June 2010
http://www.springerlink.com/content/t92 ... 5223e&pi=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
For more information about Legionnaires' disease, visit the HPA website: http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Infectious ... esDisease/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Always ensure that anti-bacterial screenwash is always used in washer systems as a precautionary preventative measure.

Yours Sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

HPA Press Release.pdf

[brothermagrew]

Official Report attachment to above LTB.

Official Report.pdf