Government health experts have revealed this week that motorists risk catching legionnaires disease from stagnant water in their windscreen washer bottles. As many as twenty percent of cases of the disease in the UK have been linked to the water that drivers use to clean their car windows, and professional drivers are more at risk, being five times more likely to become infected with the bug. The bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water and can cause a potentially fatal lung infection, in worst cases. All drivers are now being urged to add screen wash to the water stored in their vehicles, as this has an antibacterial property and will prevent the possible build up of the bug.
Traces of the legionella bacteria, which can cause legionnaires disease, were found on one in five cars that did not have screen wash. In vehicles of rivers who used screen wash, there were no traces of the bug found to be present. People most at risk are those driving vans, those who work in industrial areas or people who often drive with their car window down.
The study authors said: 'Not adding screen wash to windscreen wiper fluid is a previously unidentified risk factor and appears to be strongly associated with community acquired sporadic cases of legionnaires' disease. We estimated that around 20 per cent of such cases could be attributed to this exposure.
Legionnaire's disease is a rare illness, but is particularly nasty and can kill. It is normally carried by water droplets that are pumped out of air conditioning systems, but this is a rare and new finding for UK Car Insurance customers.
Laura Hartson is an independent writer who travels the globe to bring you up to date information on current issues and up and coming destinations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Hartson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Legionnaires-Warning&id=4607267