Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cooling towers have been shut down at a whisky distillery in Edinburgh which is at the centre of an investigation into an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has served an improvement notice on the North British Distillery (NBD) for alleged failures to adequately control risks of legionella in one tower. NBD said it had taken its towers offline and halted production at its Gorgie plant as a precaution. The North British Distillery is one of six sites being investigated by the HSE. It produces non-branded grain whisky for use in blends.
The HSE said its improvement notice related to one cooling tower, but the company had chosen to take all of its three towers out of operation.
Scotland's chief medical officer said he hoped cases of the disease would peak over the weekend. Sir Harry Burns said this would depend on whether the suspected cooling tower is the source of the outbreak. If not, cases may continue to rise. A spokesman for NBD said: "Our thoughts are clearly with the families of those affected by this situation. Ensuring the health and safety of our employees and the local community is our highest priority."
The spokesman said that having reviewed the current situation, NBD had voluntarily taken its cooling towers offline until the legionella results from samples taken earlier this week are reported.
"While this precautionary operation is under way we have temporarily ceased distillation," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments