Hotel workers' union raises alarm over high Legionella levels at hotel in Chelsea
The Hotel Workers' Union has recently sounded the alarm over a concerning issue at the High Line Hotel in Chelsea. According to the union, a cooling tower at the hotel has tested positive for elevated levels of Legionella bacteria, prompting a critical response from city officials. This development comes on the heels of a recent Legionnaires' disease outbreak in the Upper East Side, which has tragically claimed seven lives and affected dozens more.
Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is caused by inhaling water droplets containing the Legionella bacteria. It's important to note that this illness is not contagious and is contracted through exposure to contaminated water sources.
The union's complaint, filed with the health department, has led to an investigation into the hotel's cooling system. The High Line Hotel, a four-star boutique property, has been under scrutiny due to the alarming Legionella levels detected. Testing conducted by the union revealed a staggering 170 colony-forming units per milliliter (cfu/mL) of Legionella, which is significantly above the threshold for action. According to city rules, any results above 10 cfu/mL necessitate disinfection and follow-up testing, while levels above 1,000 cfu/mL demand more extensive remediation measures.
The union's spokesperson highlighted a concerning aspect of the situation: the hotel's initial reluctance to provide documentation of remediation efforts. This led to the union's decision to withdraw its members from the hotel, a move that was ultimately resolved through arbitration. However, the union's concerns were not entirely unfounded, as a second test conducted on July 23 revealed even higher Legionella levels of 700 cfu/mL.
Despite the alarming findings, it's crucial to understand that elevated bacteria counts alone do not guarantee an increased risk of illness. Janet Stout, an infectious disease microbiologist, emphasizes that disease risk is influenced by various factors, not just bacteria levels. She explains that bacteria counts can rise after cleaning due to the process potentially dislodging bacteria from surfaces, necessitating additional treatment.
The city's health department has confirmed the receipt of the complaint and is actively investigating the situation. City Councilmember Carl Wilson has also taken action, posting an alert on social media and engaging with the health department to ensure a thorough investigation. This proactive approach aims to prevent potential outbreaks and safeguard the health of hotel staff and guests.
The High Line Hotel, a historic red-brick building constructed in 1895, houses two cooling towers. The building's owner recently submitted Legionella test results, and the city conducted an inspection on July 1, detecting no Legionella in the water sample collected that day. However, the union's findings and the recent outbreak in the Upper East Side have brought the issue of Legionella control and prevention to the forefront, prompting a reevaluation of hotel hygiene practices and the importance of prompt action in the face of potential health hazards.
