Riassunto analitico
Infections from Legionella are a well-known problem, but the incidence of the cases is not decreasing. As the causes of bacterial proliferation are well known, still many facilities, hospitals, private and public buildings face the problem of the growth of the bacteria in the water systems, with serius threats to public health. This work analyses the presence of legionella in a Spanish hospital with cases of nosocomial legionellosis, to see wether the disinfection protocols and methods can be considered effective and safe.
We analysed a total number of 359 samples from warm water and 66 samples from cold water. The analysis of data divided by ranges of temperature, concentration of residual chlorine and their combination, show that keeping the temperature of hot water higher than 60°C and of cold water below 20° could be sufficient, at medium and suggested residual chlorine concentration of 0.6 mg/l to avoid the growth of legionella, without raising too much the chlorine levels which could harm the structures of the water system. These findings can be generalized and underline the importance of the mainteinance and control of water parameters as suggested by local laws and protocols.
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Abstract
Infections from Legionella are a well-known problem, but the incidence of the cases is not decreasing. As the causes of bacterial proliferation are well known, still many facilities, hospitals, private and public buildings face the problem of the growth of the bacteria in the water systems, with serius threats to public health. This work analyses the presence of legionella in a Spanish hospital with cases of nosocomial legionellosis, to see wether the disinfection protocols and methods can be considered effective and safe.
We analysed a total number of 359 samples from warm water and 66 samples from cold water. The analysis of data divided by ranges of temperature, concentration of residual chlorine and their combination, show that keeping the temperature of hot water higher than 60°C and of cold water below 20° could be sufficient, at medium and suggested residual chlorine concentration of 0.6 mg/l to avoid the growth of legionella, without raising too much the chlorine levels which could harm the structures of the water system. These findings can be generalized and underline the importance of the mainteinance and control of water parameters as suggested by local laws and protocols.
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