Drivers at risk from Legionnaires' Disease

Motorists at risk of Legionnaires from contaminated windscreen water

Stagnant warm water, i.e. your cars screen washer bottle contents, is a breeding ground for Legionella bacterium, which when inhaled as fine particles or mist causes a potentially fatal lung infection  When you spray your windscreen you create an aerosol containing the bacterial which can be sucked into the vehicles ventilation system and enter the passenger compartment, however the addition of screenwash to the water kills such bacteria and could save lives. 

Motorists who do not use screenwash fluid in their vehicle's washer bottle risk contracting the deadly Legionnaires' Disease, according to a study commisioned by the Health Protection Agency.

Traces of Legionella were found in one in five cars that did not have screenwash, but in no cars that did.

Essential facts about Legionnaires'

* In 2009 there were 345 cases in England and Wales.

* It mainly affects the over 50's and is generally more common in men.

* Researchers noted that professional drivers are five more likely to be infected.

* High risk groups are: Those who drive or travel in a van, those who drive through industrial areas and those who spend a lot of time in the car or who often have the window open.

 When Coles and Blackwell service your car we always add screenwash fluid to the washer reservoire.  We recommend that likewise when you fill your washer reservoire, you should also add screenwash fluid.

To this end we put a new spare top up bottle in every serviced car

CMS by Electric Studio, Oxford