New York City is set to implement stricter rules for cooling towers in wake of a severe Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem, which resulted in three deaths and 81 infections. The Health Department plans to enhance enforcement, introduce penalties for non-compliance, and require accredited laboratory testing for Legionella. These revisions, aimed at improving oversight of building water systems, are scheduled to take effect next spring. Inspections have previously declined, raising concerns about the maintenance of cooling towers amidst the outbreak's severity. Mayor's office officials affirm these changes were planned prior to the outbreak's onset.
The city Health Department plans on ramping up enforcement, penalties and reporting requirements for building water systems that are considered the source of many cases of Legionnaires' disease.
There have been three deaths and 81 infections reported in Harlem over the prior two weeks, with 24 people hospitalized.
The revisions will also add a new laboratory certification requirement for Legionella, which must be conducted by a certified laboratory.
Jory Lange, a lawyer specializing in Legionnaires' cases, pointed out that building owners are not following existing tough rules for cooling towers.
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