Visiting a car wash could be life-threatening, new research suggests.
Two men became seriously ill with Legionnaires’ disease after inhaling infected water droplets from separate car washes in Italy, a study found.
According to microbiologist Dr Tom Makin, a senior consultant at Legionella control, the same risk applies in the UK.
He told MailOnline: ‘Legionella bacteria grow in large numbers in water systems that get warm and remain idle for extensive periods of time, such as drive-through car wash systems.
‘Car washes are capable of generating the right sized aerosols that can be inhaled into the lungs where the Legionella bacteria cause infection, such as pneumonia.’
Legionnaires’ disease affects around 500 people a year in England alone and is fatal in approximately one in 10 cases.
According to The European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, incidences have hit record levels, which is thought to be due to bacteria gathering in shower heads as less people are having baths.
Public Health England recently revealed showers in up to 1.5 million households across the UK could be harbouring life-threatening Legionella bacteria.
Two men caught Legionnaires’ disease after inhaling infected water droplets from car washes
‘Any water source producing aerosols should be considered a risk’
Researchers from the University of Padua reported the cases of the men who caught Legionnaires’ disease after they visited separate car washes in the Veneto region of Italy.
The scientists wrote: ‘Any water source producing aerosols should be considered at risk for transmission of legionella bacteria, including car wash installations used by a large number of customers and where the is poor maintenance.’
It is unclear how the patients are recovering. Both of their cars have since been disinfected.
The findings were published in the journal Annals of Hygiene.
Why are car washes dangerous?
Most Legionnaires’ disease sufferers become infected when they inhale tiny microscopic water droplets containing Legionella bacteria.
This might be from a shower, water dispersed through a building’s ventilation system or a swimming pool.
Warm, stagnant water systems offer the optimal breeding ground for such bacteria to multiply.
Dr Makin said: ‘Some car washes have the additional problem of collecting wash water and recirculating it during further wash cycles.
‘This can increase the amount of general debris and nutrients in the water which can help support the growth of bacteria.’
And it is not just car-wash users who could be at risk. Dr Makin added: ‘Aerosols generated by car washes can drift reasonable distances and if they are contaminated with Legionella they could be a source of infection to other people in the area.’
Cases in the UK
In 2016, Kenneth Ibbetson, 86, from Essex, died of suspected Legionnaires’ disease while at a £1,000-a-week care home.
The retired businessman was rushed to hospital where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and died four days later.
Mr Ibbetson’s family claimed they were told the infection was caused by Legionnaires’ disease.
The manager of the home later admitted failing to complete a training course in legionella control, as well as not keeping water temperature records up to date.
A 2012 Legionnaires’ outbreak in Edinburgh killed four people and left nearly 100 others requiring treatment.