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Anorak News | Windscreen Wiper Wash Gives You Legionnaires’ Disease, But Not Cancer

Windscreen Wiper Wash Gives You Legionnaires’ Disease, But Not Cancer

by | 14th, June 2010

SCARE Story of The Day focuses minds on windscreen wipers and news that the water squirted gives you Legionnaires’ Disease. But not cancer.

As the BBC screams, windscreen water…

“…may be the cause of 20% of cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in England and Wales, the Health Protection Agency says.”

It’s a fact because:

The finding came after researchers spotted that professional drivers are five times more likely to be infected.

But none have been affected by their windscreen wash. Well, none yet. To the research:

They found that those most at risk were those who drove or travelled in a van, those who drove through industrial areas, and those who spent a lot of time in the car or who often had the car window open.

Oh, and then:

In a pilot study carried out by the HPA, traces of Legionella were found in one in five cars that did not have screenwash, but in no cars that did.

Cars driven by professional van drivers in sunny places where you can open the window?

For more facts, a Professor Hugh Pennington arrives to tells one and all:

“Legionnaires’ is rare but it kills people and it’s an extremely unpleasant disease.”

Well, death can be… Be warned.



Posted: 14th, June 2010 | In: Reviews Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink