Legionnaires' disease
digital file Colour Sound 1991 11:32
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Summary: Film about the history, cause and effect of Legionnaires' Disease. 2 segments.
Title number: 18164
LSA ID: LSA/21321
Description: Segment 1 On-screen text tells the story of how the disease came to be known as Legionnaire's. The first section of the film deals with where Legionella bacteria are found - mainly in pipework and large water storage systems. Examples of storage systems are shown. Dr JV Lee explains how Legionella infect people. The organisms are inhaled as very small particles of Legionella-infected water can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time. An animation shows how aerosol particles behave. Dr CLR Bartlett explains the symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease - pneumonia, coughing, difficulty breathing and chest pain. A laboratory conducting tests on the bacteria is seen. A bacteria culture is shown. Graphs show the the number of cases of the disease by year. The most common source of outbreak has been hot water systems in large buildings such as hotels and hospitals. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:05:38:10 Length: 00:05:38:10 Segment 2 A row of houses is shown and the narrator explains that no cases of Legionnaires' Disease have been attributed to domestic water systems. A water storage tank on a roof is shown. The best way to avoid risk of disease is to store water at the right temperature - 60 degrees C. Men are shown inspecting the water system, and this should be done annually. Cooling towers are another source of outbreak. An animation shows how cooling towers work. Cooling towers produce aerosols, which can spread disease. To prevent risk, regular cleaning and disinfection is necessary. A man wearing protective clothing is seen cleaning the equipment. Chemicals are shown being added to the water to ensure the safe running of the system. The narrator stresses that cleaning and maintenance reduce the risk of disease. Time start: 00:05:38:10 Time end: 00:11:31:24 Length: 00:05:53:14
Credits: script by Tim McLeish and Kath Heywood, commentary by Maggie Mash, filmed by Mike Nind and David Francis and directed by Pat Prince.
Further information: This video was made from material preserved by the BFI National Archive.
Keywords: Legionnaires' Disease; Public Health
Locations: United Kingdom
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