Summary
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila and closely related species. It is frequently associated with cooling towers, which are large mechanical systems used to remove heat from buildings and industrial facilities. Cooling towers can emit fine mists and aerosols that may contain bacteria. Once released, these aerosols can travel through the air and may expose nearby populations. However, it is not fully known how environmental conditions and system design influence infection risks. This project will combine field data, laboratory exp