Decline in Inspections Precedes Legionnaires’ Outbreak in NYC

In New York City, inspections for Legionella bacteria in cooling towers have dropped to their lowest levels since the pandemic, just before a recent outbreak in East Harlem that has resulted in three deaths, as highlighted by an analysis from Gothamist based on public health data.

A representative from the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene attributed this decline to a shortage of staff. The agency, which has the responsibility to test water in cooling towers and penalize owners who fail to follow safety guidelines, previously faced a significant outbreak in 2015 that affected 138 individuals and resulted in 16 fatalities, prompting a city law that mandates quarterly testing for Legionella.

Back in 2017, for instance, the agency inspected around 5,200 cooling towers, issuing over 48,000 violations to property owners. However, current estimates suggest that this year, they are likely to conduct fewer than 1,200 inspections by June—a historic low, excluding the disruptions of 2020 and 2021. The number of violations this year is also on track to set a new low, with just 269 issued as of April.

This decrease seems to reflect a consistent trend of reduced enforcement over the years. After reaching 4,400 inspections in 2022, the agency has since seen a decrease of 22% to 30% in the number of inspections and citations annually.

Chantal Gomez, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, explained that the inspection drop is linked to a shortage of inspectors, though she did not specify the extent of the issue. The ongoing outbreak, which began in late July, has resulted in 73 illnesses, with three fatalities recorded.

The 2017 legislation requires building owners to register and inspect cooling towers for Legionella, yet does not clarify how frequently the city should conduct its own inspections. Experts emphasize that these inspections are crucial in preventing such outbreaks.

Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse mentioned in a recent interview that the city’s ability to inspect cooling towers in the wake of the outbreak has been beneficial in containing the spread in Harlem. However, she did not specify if more frequent inspections might have averted the situation.

“From my perspective, there is always more that we can do to advance our prevention efforts,” she stated, stressing the importance of investing in public health.

A look at the data indicates that approximately 1,900 out of 4,928 registered cooling towers in the city have not had inspections since 2023, with 85 lacking any records of city inspections. These towers are essential for cooling large buildings through circulating water in air conditioning systems, which can, if not properly treated, become breeding grounds for harmful Legionella bacteria. Inhaling contaminated vapor can lead to symptoms like cough, fever, and difficulty breathing associated with Legionnaires’ disease.