NSF International and NEHA to host Legionella Conference 2019

NSF International and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) are inviting experts and researchers in public health, sustainability, water management systems and academic communities to share oral and poster presentations at the Legionella Conference 2019, to be held Sept. 11-13 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

The second annual Legionella Conference, Building Water Systems; The Sustainability & Public Health Nexus, will bring together thought leaders and presenters to explore the complex relationship between water conservation and microbial contamination prevention in building water systems.

The deadline to submit abstracts for oral presentations is April 1. The deadline to submit abstracts for posters is May 1.

Renowned speakers and panel discussions will cover energy and water conservation, strategies for monitoring risk, mitigation solutions, factors increasing Legionella and other waterborne pathogens, plumbing design requirements for low-flow systems and the national research agenda. The conference will also include technical pre-conference workshops, case studies and new technology reviews.

The first national Legionella Conference presented by NSF International in 2018 was sold out, attracting approximately 450 attendees, 20 poster presentations and 15 exhibits. Based on the success of last year’s event, 2019 conference organizers NSF International and NEHA expect significantly higher attendance in September.

Oral presenters will appear on the conference agenda along with their presentation topic and abstract. Presentations may be accompanied by PowerPoints or other visual aids (recommended, but not required).

Posters will be set up in a specific room and must present research or case study outcomes related to the conference focus. Poster presenters should be prepared to accompany the poster to discuss their work during breaks and dedicated sessions.

Topic ideas include:

• Creating a successful building water management program

• Advancing water reuse opportunities

• Monitoring a successful building water management program

• Intersection of sustainability and public health for cooling towers

• Water conservation goals and public health – responding to unintended consequences

• Strategies for benchmarking building water systems for sustainability and public health outcomes

• Legionella outbreak surveillance and response strategies – identifying best practices

• Domestic hot water systems – safely and efficiently managing water temperatures

• Plumbing design

Applications for presentations and posters may be submitted online at http://www.legionellaconference.org/call-for-abstracts/.

NSF International is celebrating 75 years of protecting and improving human health. The global public health organization facilitates standards development, and tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. With operations in more than 175 countries, NSF International is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Indoor Environment.

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) currently serves over 5,500 members to advance the environmental health and protection professional for the purpose of providing a healthful environment for all. Professionals who earn a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian credential from NEHA are recognized as having achieved an established standard of excellence. These environmental health professionals master a body of knowledge (which is verified by examination) and acquire sufficient experience to satisfactorily perform work responsibilities in the environmental health field.

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