Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionella,Legionnaire's disease,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on March 12, 2026
For the second time in six months, The City College of New York distributed a notification of a positive Legionella test result and subsequent disinfection. The notice referred to a cooling tower in the Marshak Science Building.
But this isn’t the first time such a notice has been necessary.
A nearly identical one was published just six months ago.
What is Legionella and why is it a recurring problem at The City College of New York? What does it mean for students, staff, and visitors? How do you know if you have a Legionella infection, and what should you do if you get sick? Follow along for the answers to these pressing questions and more.
But first, here’s what we know so far about Legionella at The City College of New York Marshak Science Building!
On February 17, 2026, The City College of New York issued a notification on their website and social media accounts titled, “Marshak Cooling Tower – Positive Legionella and Disinfection Notificiation.”
The notice explained to the campus community that a water sample tested positive for the dangerous bacteria, what they have done in response, and what happens next.
“Dear Campus Community,
City College is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our entire campus community. As part of our routine winter cooling tower maintenance program, a water sample collected on February 5, 2026 from the Marshak Cooling Tower tested positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria. The College was informed of the positive result on February 16, 2026. Upon receiving the test results, the affected cooling tower system was promptly disinfected on February 17, 2026 in accordance with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) regulations and industry best practices. Follow-up sampling will be collected 3 to 5 days after disinfection, as required by testing protocol. Results of those samples are expected 10 to 12 days after collection.
The College will continue to follow all regulatory requirements and preventive maintenance protocols to ensure the ongoing safety of our campus facilities.”
The City College of New York appears to have experience in these situations. Considering an almost identical notification was published in August 2025.
With very few edits, mostly involving a change of dates from “a water sample collected on July 26, 2025” to “a water sample collected on February 5, 2026.” Another for being “informed of the positive result on August 8, 2025” to “informed of the positive result on February 16, 2026.” As well as “the cooling tower system was cleaned and disinfected on August 9” to “the affected cooling tower system was promptly disinfected on February 17, 2026.”
The rest of the notice was nearly identical.
In fact, on The City College of New York’s Facebook page, several comments were variations of, “again?”
The City College of New York appears to be on top of the situation. Acting after a positive test was identified. But prior to disinfection, students, staff, and visitors of the Marshak Science Building were exposed to harmful airborne Legionella bacteria.
But what exactly does that mean?
First, let’s talk about Legionella bacteria and the serious illness it causes.
Legionnaire’s disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling microscopic Legionella bacteria suspended in aerosolized water droplets. Essentially water mist. Inhaling this mist can move these waterborne bacteria into your lungs where they can cause infection.
These bacteria are naturally found in the environment. Usually in bodies of water like lakes, rivers, or streams. However, they can make their way into man-made water systems. They especially love warm water environments like hot tubs, water towers, and the air-conditioning systems of large buildings.
These large buildings use cooling towers.
Which is where the positive Legionella samples were identified.
Unlike most other respiratory illnesses, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. You cannot get Legionnaires’ disease from someone who is infected.
So, if you have been around someone who got Legionnaires’ disease at The City College of New York, fortunately you are unlikely to become sick.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease usually begin around 2 to 14 days after exposure. However, in some cases, illness may take longer to present.
Anyone exposed to Legionella bacteria is at risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease. However, there are some groups of people who are more likely to become sick if exposed, or experience more serious illness if they become sick.
Those at increased risk include:
While this might rule out a good number of The City College of New York students, many who accessed the building and spent time there may have been exposed and should monitor themselves for symptoms.
Legionnaires’ disease generally produces respiratory and flu-like symptoms.
Common symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
Other symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, and/or confusion.
Legionnaires’ disease symptoms should be taken very seriously. Most Legionnaires’ disease cases require hospitalization. These illnesses can be fatal. 1 in 10 individuals with Legionnaires’ disease will die from complications of their illness. In a health care setting, this risk elevates to 1 in 4.
If you begin experiencing symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease around two weeks after visiting, staying at, or working at The City College of New York Marshak Science Building, there are a few things you should do.
If you begin feeling symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, it is important to seek medical help right away. Prompt and accurate diagnosis can make a huge difference in recovery time. It is also a good idea to get advice from an experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer.
Legionnaires’ disease can be treated with normal pneumonia treatments. However, accurate diagnosis is key for faster recovery.
If you begin experiencing symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider right away. Notify them of your recent exposure risk to help expedite appropriate laboratory tests.
Specialized treatment protocols specifically for Legionella bacterial infections will aid in faster recovery and much better outcomes. The faster diagnosis is determined and treatment administered, the better your chances for full recovery.
Legionnaires’ disease is a preventable illness. Simple routine maintenance keeps these harmful germs from growing and infecting those entering the facility. Even more importantly. This maintenance is required by health authorities.
Lapses in these safety protocols leave guests vulnerable to illness.
Medical bills, lost wages, and other burdens associated with Legionnaires’ disease add up. An experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer can help answer questions you may have about your situation and point you toward the resources you need. If you wish to make a legal claim, they can help you every step of the way.
If you wish to pursue a legal claim for financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost work, caring for a loved one, or other burdens associated with Legionnaires’ disease illness, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer that can help.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no-obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)