October 19, 2005

Dr. David Walker, M.D.
Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine
Queen’s University
Kingston, Ontario

Independent Review of Legionnaires' Outbreak

Dear Dr. Walker,

We are aware that Ontario’s Health Minister, the Honourable George Smitherman, has appointed you to conduct an independent review of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that killed 17 people and left over 100 others ill since late September. We understand that swabs from shower heads from the Seven Oaks residence are being tested; the results should assist you in your investigation.

As you are aware, water temperatures under 50 C may increase the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. Water must be stored at high temperature, however, it can be delivered from the tap at a lower temperature. While standards from domestic hot water must consider scald prevention, they must also address the broad spectrum of public health and safety issues. To minimize bacteria contamination, water must be stored at 60 C or higher.

The Canada Safety Council considers scalding injuries a serious concern. Such injuries are highly preventable and must be the subject of ongoing safety efforts. However, countermeasures must take into account the range of risks that may be present. Unquestionably, Legionella is a very real health threat worldwide (see www.legionella.org).

The attached CSC article, Heated Debate About Hot Water, from the July 2005 issue of Safety Canada, our member newsletter will be of interest and should be of help to you. This article generated significant interest.

Sincerely,

Emile-J. Therien
President , Canada Safety Council

c.c. Honourable George Smitherman, M.P.P., Ontario Minister of Health ; Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health ; Provincial/Territorial Premiers ; John Archer, Secretary, Canadian Commission of Building and Fire Codes, National Research Council of Canada ; CSC Board of Directors

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		October 19, 2005 Dr. David Walker, M.D. Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario Independent Review of Legionnaires' Outbreak Dear Dr. Walker, We are aware that Ontario’s Health Minister, the Honourable George Smitherman, has appointed you to conduct an independent review of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that killed 17 people and left over 100 others ill since late September. We understand that swabs from shower heads from the Seven Oaks residence are being tested; the results should assist you in your investigation. As you are aware, water temperatures under 50 C may increase the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. Water must be stored at high temperature, however, it can be delivered from the tap at a lower temperature. While standards from domestic hot water must consider scald prevention, they must also address the broad spectrum of public health and safety issues. To minimize bacteria contamination, water must be stored at 60 C or higher. The Canada Safety Council considers scalding injuries a serious concern. Such injuries are highly preventable and must be the subject of ongoing safety efforts. However, countermeasures must take into account the range of risks that may be present. Unquestionably, Legionella is a very real health threat worldwide (see www.legionella.org). The attached CSC article, Heated Debate About Hot Water, from the July 2005 issue of Safety Canada, our member newsletter will be of interest and should be of help to you. This article generated significant interest. Sincerely, Emile-J. Therien President , Canada Safety Council c.c. Honourable George Smitherman, M.P.P., Ontario Minister of Health ; Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health ; Provincial/Territorial Premiers ; John Archer, Secretary, Canadian Commission of Building and Fire Codes, National Research Council of Canada ; CSC Board of Directors			Heated Debate About Hot Water Safety Canada (July 2005)