Tag Archives: Pathogens

by | June 8, 2013 · 7:10 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: CDC Reports That Up To “58% Of Hotel And Public Swimming Pools Contain Fecal Matter”, Resulting In Increased “E.Coli & Other Recreational Water Illnesses”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Mh9GoYy5g]

In 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that found fecal matter in 58% of public swimming pools. The study looked at 161 samples from pool filter concentrates…The study detected E. coli in over 50% of the pool samples, indicating that swimmers frequently introduced fecal material into pools. This could mean that pathogens can be transmitted to others through the use of these pools and recreational water activities…Although the study found E. coli at higher rates in municipal pools, pools that required a membership or were located within a club still tested positive 49% of the time.

Although the study found E. coli at higher rates in municipal pools, pools that required a membership or were located within a club still tested positive 49% of the time. Since 1978, the incidence of recreational water illness (RWI) outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illness has substantially increased.

Some of the organisms detected in the study included:
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• E. coli
• Giardia intestinalis
• Cryptosporidium

Contrary to popular belief, chlorine does not kill all germs instantly. There are germs today that are very tolerant to chlorine and were not known to cause human disease until recently. Once these germs get in the pool, it can take anywhere from minutes to days for chlorine to kill them.

Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. Recreational water illnesses can also be caused by chemicals in the water or chemicals that evaporate from the water and cause indoor air quality problems.

These are just a few things to know about microbial contaminants and recreational water illnesses, to learn more about this other health and safety or environmental and indoor air quality issues, please visit the websites shown on the screen.

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Health Risks: CDC Reports That Up To “58% Of Hotel And Public Swimming Pools Contain Fecal Matter”, Resulting In Increased “E.Coli & Other Recreational Water Illnesses”

Filed under Guest Issues, Health, Liability, Maintenance, Pool And Spa, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

by | August 9, 2010 · 2:10 pm

Hospitality Industry Employee Safety Training: OSHA Training Provisions Require That Management “Ensure That Employees Are Comprehending Instruction”, Specifically Lockout, Respiratory Protection And Bloodborne Pathogens

“If a reasonable person would conclude that the employer had not conveyed the training to its employees in a manner they were capable of understanding, then the violation may be cited as serious.”

OSHA’s general policy is that if an employee receives job instructions in a language other than English, training and information must also be conveyed in that language. Similarly, if employees are not literate, telling them to read training materials will not satisfy the employer’s training obligation.

OSHA adds that its training provisions contain a variety of specific requirements to ensure that employees are comprehending instruction. For example, standards covering lockout/tagout, respiratory protection, and bloodborne pathogens each require that employers take measures to ascertain the level to which the employee has comprehended the safety provisions.

For more:   http://enviro.blr.com/environmental-news/EHS-management/industrial-facility-compliance-training/Workers-Must-Understand-Training-118317/

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Employee Safety Training: OSHA Training Provisions Require That Management “Ensure That Employees Are Comprehending Instruction”, Specifically Lockout, Respiratory Protection And Bloodborne Pathogens

Filed under Food Illnesses, Health, Injuries, Insurance, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , ,

by | June 27, 2010 · 7:39 am

Hotel Pool Health Risks: Use Of Chlorine Kills Many Pathogens But Produces Chloramines That Can Cause Respiratory And Ocular Illnesses

“…although chlorine kills many potential pathogens, it can also react with human wastes such as perspiration, urine, skin particles, and lotion in pool water to form chloramines and trihalomethanes. Chloramines may remain in the pool water or volatilize into the air, where they create the pungent smell and acutely irritating properties of air above swimming pools..”

“…an outbreak associated with a swimming pool and attributed to chloramine exposure led to cough or ocular symptoms in > 70% of pool patrons interviewed.  Chloramine levels in pool water depend on chlorine and nitrogen concentrations, pool pH, temperature, and water circulation patterns.

However, chloramine levels in the air above swimming pools are also influenced by ventilation and the pool water chemistry. Indoor pools are likely to be less well ventilated than outdoor pools, so the risks associated with chloramine exposure are likely to differ between indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

For more:   http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.9555

Comments Off on Hotel Pool Health Risks: Use Of Chlorine Kills Many Pathogens But Produces Chloramines That Can Cause Respiratory And Ocular Illnesses

Filed under Health, Insurance, Pool And Spa

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | May 21, 2010 · 5:48 am

Hotel Pool And Spa Health And Safety: Pool Inspection Data Reveal That Failure To Maintain Disinfectant And pH Levels Are Serious Code Violations And Put Guest Health At Risk

“…hotel/motel pool inspections had the highest percentage of disinfectant level violations (….12.8%)..”

“…The most frequently reported type of recreational water illness (RWI) outbreak is gastroenteritis, the incidence of which is increasing…”

“…Of 111,487 inspections, 13,532 (12.1%) resulted in immediate closure because of serious violations (e.g., lack of disinfectant in the water)…”

Prevention of RWIs at treated venues requires pool operators to 1) maintain appropriate disinfectant and pH levels to maximize disinfectant effectiveness and 2) ensure optimal water circulation and filtration. Pool codes, promulgated by individual state or local public health agencies, govern pool operation.

Comments Off on Hotel Pool And Spa Health And Safety: Pool Inspection Data Reveal That Failure To Maintain Disinfectant And pH Levels Are Serious Code Violations And Put Guest Health At Risk

Filed under Health, Injuries, Liability

Tagged as , , , ,

by | May 5, 2010 · 5:07 am

Hotel And Resort Pool Health And Safety: Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI) Have Increased Over The Past Two Decades

Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans.

(From a CDC.gov posting)   RWIs can be a wide variety infections, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea. Diarrheal illnesses can be caused by germs such as Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli O157:H7. In the past two decades, there has been an increase in the number of RWI outbreaks associated with swimming.

CDC’s Healthy Swimming program offers information and resources to raise awareness about RWIs and how to prevent them.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/

Comments Off on Hotel And Resort Pool Health And Safety: Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI) Have Increased Over The Past Two Decades

Filed under Health, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | April 27, 2010 · 6:47 am

Hotel Swimming Pool Water Health Risks: Maintaining Pool Equipment And Water Quality, Including Cleaning Pool Decks Daily, Can Help Reduce Health Hazards

Swimming pool water care involves you cleaning your pool deck and walkways at least once a day. This will help in keeping contaminants from entering into your pool or spa water. Additionally, maintaining good water quality and eliminating non-enteric waterborne illnesses, require daily swimming pool cleaning.

(From a Swimming-Pool-Care.com article)   Some waterborne illnesses are caused by non-enteric pathogens. These pathogens can be found in poorly maintained swimming pools and spas. Because of these potential health hazards, your swimming pool equipment and your water quality, should be checked constantly. This is a daily requirement.Non-enteric pathogens that are usually found in poorly maintained swimming pools include:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is an opportunistic pathogen that causes infection of the respiratory system. It can also cause dermatitis and infections of the soft tissues in the body.Pseudomonas pathogens are usually found in a biofilm environment. Biofilm is normally found in the circulation system of your swimming pools and spas. This pathogen can tolerate a variety of physical conditions and it is highly resistant to antibiotics. 

Symptoms that are associated with pseudomonas aeruginosa!

Symptoms for this particular form of waterborne illnesses that are found in pools, are as follows:

  • Itchy skin. 
  • Bumpy rashes that are tender to the touch and appear reddish in color. 
  • Puss filled blisters that usually form around your hair follicles. The reason for this, is due to the fact that infection of pseudomonas usually forms in the hair follicles.

Other non-enteric pathogens that are found in pools and spas!

When the circulation system for your swimming pools and spas are poorly maintained, non-enteric pathogens are developed. These include:

  • Mycobacterium spp. 
  • Staphylococius aureus. 
  • Leptospira interrogans. 
  • Trichophyton spp. 
  • Epidmerophyton floccosum. this pathogen usually is the cause for dermic or respiratory infections. 
  • Acanthamoeba spp. 
  • Human papilloma virus. 
  • Legionella pneumophila. This particular type of waterborne illness, is commonly referred to as legionellosis or legionnaires disease. This is a severe case of pneumonia. Sadly this bacteria exist in poorly maintained spas and is transmitted through the mist that is common with this type of environment.Legionella pneumophila cause two different types of diseases. The first is called legionnaires disease, as was mentioned earlier. This my friend is the more severe form of the waterborne illnesses. The next stage of this infection, is called pontiac fever. Fortunately for us, this is the more milder side of the disease.Proper disinfectant levels in your spa, along with frequent maintenance of your filter, are critical steps necessary to control these bacteria. 
  • Molluscipox virus. This is a virus that causes molluscum contogiosum. Molluscum contogiosum is a common skin infection that is not serious. It will clear up on its own, without any form of treatment. Nevertheless the condition could take up to several months before it clears but there are no long term effects it. 
  • Verrucas. This infection, is commonly known as plantar warts. Waterborne illnesses of this type are usually acquired through direct contact with pool decks and locker room floors which have been contaminated. Contamination of these surfaces, are usually caused by skin fragments that are the cause of the infections.The skin fragments which are shed by other users, are normally infected with causative papliomavirus. Ordinarily, preventing plantar warts is achieved through regular cleaning and maintenance of your swimming pool decks and locker room floors. 
  • Athlete’s foot. This is a ringworm infection that is caused by dermatophyte fungi. A very itchy scale between the toes is indication of this infection. Athlete’s foot is contracted in the same manner as plantar warts.Infections is again from infected skin fragments that have the dermatophyte fungi. Individuals with severe cases of this condition, should not be allowed to use your recreational water facility. This will eliminate infection of other users. 

http://www.swimming-pool-care.com/waterborne-illnesses.html

6 Comments

Filed under Health, Insurance, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , , ,

by | April 23, 2010 · 5:45 am

Spa Pool Risks: Hopsitality Owners Should Be Aware Of Microorganisms Present In Spa Pools And Take Steps To Prevent Proliferation

 The risk potential of contact with pathogens through spa pool use has been exacerbated through the promotion of the therapeutic properties of spas. Spa treatments can provide suffers of muscular skeletal disorders, such as rheumatism, relief from pain. However, this has become confused with mineral spa treatments for general ailments. Consequently, many people suffering from common illnesses, such as influenza or digestion complaints, frequent leisure spa pools hoping to gain some relief from their symptoms. Unfortunately, such practice can introduce the bacteria into the Spa system and consequently increase the risk of infection for other bathers.

(From a NalcoEurope.com posting)   Spa pools are the third most common cause of legionnaires disease and are known to harbour other bacteria that can cause serious skin complaints and even blindness.

A commercial spa pool should be considered as any bath that consists of a self-contained body of water, which is recirculated, filtered, heated, and chemically treated but is not emptied and cleaned and refilled after each bather.

Due to the high water temperatures (30-40°C), availability of nutrients and convoluted design Spa pools are particularly prone to microorganism proliferation. Furthermore, due to the high level of contact between the bather’s skin and the spa surface, biofilms quickly form and so frequent cleaning is essential.

Continuous filtration to remove contaminants and the application of a disinfectant is imperative in order to ensure safe hygienic conditions.

Spa pools should not be considered as small swimming pools. Spa pools operate with much smaller volumes of water in relation to the number of bathers that use them. In addition, water temperatures are much higher as is aerosol generation and the general risk to bathers from the number of water borne pathogens.

The following table identifies the micro flora that are of particular concern in spas:

Bacteria Illness Description Other Detail
Shigella Diarrhoea, Fever, Nausea 1-3 day incubation, 4-7 day illness,
E Coli Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Fever 3-4 day incubation, & day illness
Giardia Gastroenteritis 7-12 day incubation, 7-10 day illness,
Cryptosporidium Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Fever, Cramps 7 day incubation, 10-14 day illness,
Legionella Flu Like Pneumonia Aerosols – SPA & HVAC
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Follicultis – Swelling of Ear Canal Transmitted on Any Wet Surface
Mycobacterium spp Broken Skin Infections Bather Shed on Wet Surfaces
Mycobacterium. Avium Respiratory Illness – Flu Hypersensitivity pneumonitis Bather Shed.
Aerosol Transmission
Staphylococcus Aureus Skin, Wound, Eye & Ear Infections. Impetigo Bather Shed.
Leptospira Interrogans Weils Disease – Haemorrhagic Jaundice
Aseptic Meningitis		 10-20 day incubation, Pool Infected by Urine from Infected Humans and Animals

http://www.nalcoeurope.com/library/spa-pools-and-pathogen-risk-assessment.html

Comments Off on Spa Pool Risks: Hopsitality Owners Should Be Aware Of Microorganisms Present In Spa Pools And Take Steps To Prevent Proliferation

Filed under Health, Insurance, Liability, Training

Tagged as , , , , ,