A recent study by the health agency in England reveals that the water that cleans your windscreen may actually be causing 20% of Legionnaire’s Disease in the country.
The environment of the water tank in the engine bay is a perfect breeding ground for Legionella bacterium that may cause pneumonia. The agency advised though to add screenwash which can kill the bacteria and save a lot of lives.
The study revealed that professional drivers are at higher risks to this problem. Legionnaire’s is actually rare. Most of the time, the cause of the infection is not traced and the occurrence of infection is very sporadic.
The numbers go up and down annually but in 2009 there were 345 cases in Wales and England. Some of the infections though were acquired overseas.
The disease is more common in the male population who are over their 50s. Symptoms of Legionnaire’s include fever, dry cough, headaches, tiredness, and muscle aches. About 10% to 15% of the cases border on being fatal.
The study found out that people who take long drives to work, often pass by industrial areas, or drive with their windows open are more prone to Legionnaire’s. Adding screenwash though can help to get rid of the bacteria.
Legionella does not transfer from an individual to another but harbors in the water and is ready to infect anyone who inhales them when they are squirted out into the air to clean the windshield.