Legionella, an enemy not to be underestimated.
What is Legionella?
Legionella is a genus of bacteria that proliferate in water, favoured by the presence of biofilm, stagnation, and critical temperatures. They are found in both natural environments and, more significantly, in artificial systems, where the risk of contagion is higher.
Legionella is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for both flu-like forms (Pontiac fever), characterized by a benign course, and the so-called Legionnaires’ Disease, a pneumonia with severe symptomsand a fatality rate reaching 10-15% (up to 40% for nosocomial-aquored ones).
Its danger is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and international Health organizations like ESGLI (ESCMID Study Group for Legionella Infections) , which have drafted specific guidelines for the correct prevention and control of Legionellosis risk.
What is Legionella?
Legionella is a genus of bacteria that proliferate in water, favoured by the presence of biofilm, stagnation, and critical temperatures. They are found in both natural environments and, more significantly, in artificial systems, where the risk of contagion is higher.
Legionella is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for both flu-like forms (Pontiac fever), characterized by a benign course, and the so-called Legionnaires’ Disease, a pneumonia with severe symptomsand a fatality rate reaching 10-15% (up to 40% for nosocomial-aquored ones).
Its danger is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and international Health organizations like ESGLI (ESCMID Study Group for Legionella Infections) , which have drafted specific guidelines for the correct prevention and control of Legionellosis risk.
In which environments is Legionella present?
Legionella prefers humid and temperate environments. It is ubiquitous in aquatic environments, both natural and artificial. Its proliferation is favoured by temperatures between 25°C and 50°C and in the presence of water stagnation, scale or rust deposits, and biofilm. For this reason, water distribution systems, cold and domestic hot water, showers and sinks, whirlpool baths, fountains, irrigation and misting systems, cooling towers, and industrial water circuits represent critical routes of exposures.
In which structures could Legionella be present?
Legionella can be present in any structure or building equipped with water distribution systems, cold and domestic hot water, showers and sinks, whirlpool baths, fountains, irrigation and misting systems, cooling towers, and industrial water circuits. Each of these systems represents a critical point for the potential risk of contagion. Therefore, the presence of Legionella constitutes a serious risk for hospitals, healthcare and social care facilities, industries, public and private offices, hotels, condominiums, schools, etc.
In these and other structures, if lacking an adequate risk assessment and a suitable water treatment system, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to keep the potential danger posed by the presence of Legionella under control.
Water Safety 360° and SANIKILL are the optimal solutions to effectively control this potential threat.
In these and other structures, in the absence of an adequate risk assessment and a suitable water treatment system, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to keep the potential danger posed by the presence of Legionella under control.
Water Safety 360° and SANIKILL are the optimal solutions for best defending against this danger.
What is the difference between Legionella and Legionella pneumophila?
Legionella pneumophila is a species belonging to Legionella genus, which currently includes more than 70 species, some of which, like pneumophila, are pathogenic to humans.
Legionella pneumophila is the species most frequently associated with human infections (it is also the only one for which a rapid diagnostic system is available, namely the urinary antigen test), but cases of infections caused by other species (such as Legionella feeleii, Legionella micdadei, Legionella anisa, and Legionella longbeachae) are also documented.
Are there guidelines or legislative decrees regulating the control of Legionella?
TLegionella represents one of the most relevant changes introduced by the Directive (EU) 2020/2184 concerning water intended for human consumption:it included Legionella among the potability parameters, particularly for premise plumbing, invoking a proactive, risk-assessment based approach to effectively prevent its proliferation.
How to control Legionella proliferation?
There are various preventive measures that can help in avoiding Legionella proliferation. Among the most basic and simple to implement are periodic descaling and disinfection of the terminal components of the water distribution circuit (e.g. faucets), appropriate flushing, removal of dead legs, and maintaining and controlling adequate temperatures. However, more advanced and effective measures would be preferable, especially in high-risk structures, such as periodic cleaning and sanitisation of tanks, reservoirs, and accumulations, as well as the use of continuous water disinfection systems with a product suitable for drinking water treatment, such as SANIKILL.
What are the risks associated with the presence of Legionella in drinking water or domestic hotwater?
When the potable or domestic hot water distribution system is contaminated by Legionella, small droplets of water containing the bacterium (such as those generated by a shower) can be easily inhaled by the user during simple daily activities and reach the lungs. Depending on the individual’s predisposition and risk factors, this can cause an infection and lead to pathologic conditions ranging from Pontiac Fever to the more severe and deadly Legionnaires’ Disease.
To prevent these risks, Sanipur has developed the patented SANIKILL technology, the most effective in eradicating Legionella from water distribution systems
What are the risks associated with the presence of Legionella in process or industrial cooling waters?
The presence of Legionella in process water and the water used by evaporative cooling towers can pose a serious risk not only the health of workers directly exposed to aerosols and vapours generated by industrial processes but also (especially in the case of the latter) the entire community: contaminated vapours can spread through the air for tens of kilometres, potentially causing real epidemics.
SANIKILL is the best ally to avoid these types of issues.
