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It has been almost two years now since the Legionella outbreak at Stadium Place, and since then there have been no new Legionnaires disease outbreaks. We will continue to conduct routine tests for water safety on an ongoing basis.
While we do not anticipate any further issues, this web site has and will continue to serve as an information resource for residents and to help everyone remain aware of potential legionella signs and symptoms. Remember:
- If you become ill, the Baltimore City Health Department recommends you contact your health care provider immediately and inform him or her that you live in a location where some residents were diagnosed with Legionnaires disease two years ago;
- Please inform the community manager if you intend to be out of your apartment home for more than seven (7) days;
- If you notice any discolored or foul smelling water at Stadium Place, please inform your property manager immediately.
Residents and family members with any concerns that are not addressed here should feel free to contact the property manager, Beth Lyons at 410-243-0180.
The health and safety of Stadium Place residents are our top priority. The owners and managers of Stadium Place are committed to providing a safe, caring and compassionate senior residential community with supportive services that meet the needs of our residents.
It has been approximately a year now since the Legionella outbreak. Water tests continue to show good results. We will test the water routinely for the next several months to insure that we continue to have good quality water. If residents are not
feeling well we do still recommend they contact their health care provider.
Yes. City water disruptions that result in clouded or discolored water are a significant risk. Accordingly we have asked residents to report to us immediately
any water color problems. Also certain times of the year, spring and end of summer / early fall (August, September and October) have higher risks.
Absolutely not. Carbon water filters remove chlorine and the associated taste and odor of chlorine. Chlorine is the disinfectant used to kill bacteria. These carbon filters when changed regularly as recommended by the manufacturer are not a health risk. When not changed regularly these filters pose a health risk because bacteria will grow on the carbon. Most importantly open water bottles or water pitchers should always be stored in the refrigerator. Bacteria will readily grow in open bottles or pitchers not refrigerated.
Some humidifiers pose a very great risk for promoting bacteria growth. City water is safe to drink and use but it is not sterile; under normal conditions, it will always have very low and safe bacteria levels. However, even low, safe levels of bacteria can grow to dangerous levels when left at room temperature for a period of time. Below is a
review of humidifier risks from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documents.
Humidifier design categories with the highest risk as listed in EPA and CDC documents are:
- Impeller, or "cool mist," humidifiers produce a cool mist by means of a high speed rotating disk. Room air is constantly sucked into the basin adding even greater potential for bacterial growth. These units should be cleaned daily and use only sterile water.
- Ultrasonic humidifiers produce a cool mist vibrating the water at a high frequency. They have the potential to disperse more solids from the water than Impeller types. These units should be cleaned daily and use sterile, dionized water.
Humidifier design categories with the lowest risk as listed in EPA and CDC documents are:
- Evaporative humidifiers operating properly produce no mist at all as air is blown across a wick and water is evaporated. Typically with this type of humidifier the water in the tank is not exposed to the outside air at all as in impeller types and will stay cleaner as a result. These units should be cleaned and disinfected weekly.
- Steam humidifiers heat the water then it evaporates into the air. If the water is all evaporated by conversion to steam there will be no bacteria at all as temperatures above 160oF kill all bacteria instantaneously. The only risk with these units is exposure to hot surfaces.
Yes the present hot water temperature will be kept permanently. This is the simplest and safest way to control bacteria in the hot water.
In light of recent media coverage, we would like to reach out to all of our residents to assure them that the water at Stadium Place remains safe for all uses, including bathing and showering, drinking, cooking, and laundry. We have been working continuously with public health officials, and they have assured us that the water is safe. There have been no new cases of Legionnaire’s disease reported since December 2009.
Your health and safety have been and remain of utmost importance to us. If you or members of your family have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the property management office or a Service Coordinator so that we can address your concerns.
Thank you.
On February 1, 2010, following treatment and testing of water systems, the Baltimore City Health Department removed all water restrictions for Venable II residents. Residents of these buildings may now:
- Take showers or baths without restrictions;
- Wash dishes without restrictions;
- Cook with cold water without restrictions; and
- Consume cold water without restrictions.
Please see the February 1st notice from the Baltimore City Health Department.
On January 8, 2010, following treatment and testing of water systems, the Baltimore City Health Department removed all water restrictions for Ednor I, Ednor II, and Venable I (Weinberg Court) residents. Residents of these buildings may now:
- Take showers or baths without restrictions;
- Wash dishes without restrictions;
- Cook with cold water without restrictions; and
- Consume cold water without restrictions.
Please see the January 8th notice from the Baltimore City Health Department regarding removing the water restrictions for Ednor I, Ednor II, and Venable I.
Until further notice, residents of Venable II, and visitors of Venable II, should continue to follow health officials’ precautions regarding bathing, dishwashing and other uses of water.
A Stadium Place visitor was recently diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. It is not known at this time if the visitor contracted the disease at Stadium Place or elsewhere. Given this new information, the Baltimore City Health Department is again recommending special measures regarding the use of water. Until further notice, residents and visitors should follow health officials’ precautions regarding bathing, dishwashing and other uses of water. .
Over the past three months, management has taken the following steps to eliminate Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, from the water systems at Stadium Place:
- Two separate chemical treatments to the buildings’ water systems
- A thermal disinfection involving super heating and flushing at the maximum hot water setting
- Chemical disinfection(s) of the hot water tanks
- Flushing(s) of each hot water tank
- Continuous thermal disinfection by raising the hot water temperature in each apartment
- Elimination of the expansion tanks in Venable Apartments II
- Installation of a central expansion tank in Venable Apartments II
- Replacement of all the hot water heaters and expansion tanks in Ednor Apartments II
- Flushing the water line under the Stadium Place entrance road
- Continuous flushing of the water lines serving Ednor Apartments II and Venable Apartments II
- Implementation of a water testing program
We will continue to work with officials at the local and state health departments in order to ensure Stadium Place is a safe home.
On November 20, 2009, following treatment and testing of water systems throughout the Stadium Place apartment community, the Baltimore City Health Department removed all water restrictions for Stadium Place residents. Residents may now:
- Take showers or baths without restrictions;
- Wash dishes without restrictions;
- Cook with cold water without restrictions; and
- Consume cold water without restrictions.
Please see the November 20, 2009 notice from the Baltimore City Health Department regarding removing the water restrictions
Remediation efforts, including chlorine disinfection and flushing, were completed the week of November 15th. Over the next two weeks, hot water heaters are being replaced in Ednor Apartments II.
Stadium Place management, in conjunction with public health officials, has also implemented a water testing program. The water testing program, which is scheduled for the next six months, is designed to protect residents from Legionella. This testing program involves taking water samples and having these samples analyzed at a lab approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The lab will be testing the water samples for the presence of Legionella. Ongoing testing will be done to confirm that the water continues to be safe.
Public health officials have informed Stadium Place management that several residents had contracted Legionnaire’s disease. The Baltimore City Health Department, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working to determine the source of the illnesses. Legionnaire’s disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella, which is found naturally in the environment and usually in water. Legionella is NOT spread from person to person.
Since Legionella is a water-borne bacteria, the water systems in all four Stadium Place buildings were treated using methods approved by the Baltimore City Health Department, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the federal Centers for Disease Control. This proactive process, which includes chlorination, “super” heating the water and flushing, was undertaken immediately upon public health officials’ recommendations starting on October 17th.
Pre-remediation, test results confirmed the presence of Legionella.
Stadium Place owners and managers are coordinating closely with city, state and federal public health agencies as they investigate and address this public health matter. Please direct further questions to Baltimore City Health Department Public Information Officer Brian Schleter at 443.984.2623.
According to the CDC, symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease are similar to those of pneumonia and can include a high fever, chills and a cough. Some people may also suffer from muscle aches and headaches. People most at risk of getting sick from the bacteria are older people (usually 65 years of age or older), as well as smokers or those who have a chronic lung disease (like emphysema). People who have weak immune systems from diseases like cancer, diabetes, or kidney failure are also more likely to get sick from Legionella bacteria. People who take drugs to suppress (weaken) the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy) are also at higher risk.
According to the CDC, most cases of Legionnaire’s disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics antibiotics, if treated promptly.
- Notice on re-instituting measures regarding use of water (December 29, 2009)
- Resident Notice regarding water main break in Baltimore city (December 17, 2009)
- Resident Notice regarding water temperature (December 11, 2009)
- Resident Notice regarding water temperature (December 9, 2009)
- Resident Notice regarding absences greater than seven days. (December 2, 2009)
- Resident Notice regarding removing the water restrictions (November 20, 2009)
- Notice to Venable 1 and Ednor 1 Residents (November 11, 2009)
- Notice to Ednor 2 Residents (November 11, 2009)
Notice to Venable 2 Residents (November 11, 2009)
- Notice to Residents regarding precautions to be followed by residents. (November 10, 2009)
- Notice to Residents (October 27, 2009)
- Baltimore City Health Department Letter to Residents (October 21, 2009)
- Letter to Stadium Place Residents (October 20, 2009)
- Beth Lyons, Stadium Place Property Manager,410-243-0180.
- Brian Schleter, Baltimore City Health Department Public Information Officer, 443-984-2623.
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