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Legionnaires’ disease bacteria lurk in tap water

Found in nearly half of faucets, contamination could explain sporadic cases of disease

CONTAMINATED  In a small U.S. study, researchers found that nearly half of the 68 water facuets sampled had traces of Legionella pneumophila, which causes Legionnaires’ disease.

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By Beth Mole

- More than 2 years ago

Of 68 water taps that scientists sampled across the United States, 47 percent harbored traces of Legionella pneumophila.