Legionella at airports: what’s the risk?

Time for another instalment in our ‘What’s the risk?’ blog series! Today, Dynamika director Brett Wallace looks at airport facilities; could a legionella outbreak ruin your holiday before it’s even begun?

With the end of the summer rapidly approaching, many of us are already planning next year’s getaways.

But while some of us might get a bit anxious when it comes to air travel, there’s another risk that you may not have even considered; and that’s a legionella outbreak.

How can legionella spread and grow at airports?

Transport facilities like airports are somewhat unique in combining several potential risk areas for legionella growth together on the same site.

Water systems at airports which can potentially harbour legionella bacteria include:

• Water facilities within the airport building itself (including toilets, showers, vendor kitchens and HVAC cooling towers)
• Water facilities used on the ground (including plane/equipment washing, fire suppression and turf irrigation)
• Potable water stored on board airplanes for in-flight drinking supplies and toilets (which are also filled from airport ground facilities)