"Surprising Link: Cleaner Air's Role in Rapid Surge of Legionnaires' Disease"

A study has linked the rapid increase in Legionnaires' disease cases in the US to cleaner air, specifically the decrease in sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels. Researchers found that lower SO2 levels led to less acidic water droplets, potentially allowing Legionella bacteria to survive longer in the air and infect people. The study highlights the need to understand how changing environmental conditions impact Legionella proliferation and to protect vulnerable populations living near industrial or densely populated areas from this newfound risk of Legionnaires' disease.