What Is Legionnaires' Disease?
The world’s first case of Legionnaires’ disease was reported in Philadelphia, USA, in 1976. The causative agent of the infection known as Legionnaires’ disease, Legionella pneumophila, is a microorganism that can grow and multiply in water distribution systems, condensers, evaporators, and cooling towers in hotels, hospitals, and food establishments, causing Legionellosis in humans. In recent years, in particular, it is believed that Legionella-contaminated drinking water may be the cause of some lung infections with unknown origins.
What Are the Symptoms of the Disease?
The disease begins in its early stages as a severe flu-like infection, followed by symptoms such as fever, dry cough, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and muscle and joint pain. In acute cases, multiple systems of the body may be affected, leading to nausea, mental confusion, and even kidney failure.
The Legionella pneumophila bacterium can typically thrive in stagnant water systems and poses a risk of spreading to living areas via aerosols and ventilation systems.
It is extremely important to take preventive measures against the growth of the Legionella pneumophila bacterium and prevent its occurrence in public facilities such as hotels, hospitals, schools, and similar venues.
How Can Legionnaires' Disease Be Prevented?
To prevent Legionnaires' disease, the ventilation and water systems in buildings must be regularly maintained in accordance with industry standards.
Antibacterial tablets should be used in the condensate pans of fan coil units and air handling units.
Showerheads and hoses should be removed and cleaned regularly.
If the showerhead isn't used regularly, let hot water run through it at a strong pressure for a few minutes before taking a shower.
Well water must be sterilized or filtered before use.
Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Legionnaires' Disease in Hotels:
1- A hotel employee should be designated as responsible for conducting Legionella control measures.
2- Hot water should always be maintained at a temperature between 50 and 60 0Cat the point of use (users should be warned that this temperature is too hot to touch).
3- Cold water should always be kept below 25°C (this is particularly important for buildings in the Mediterranean region during the summer months).
4- In hotel rooms, especially when there are no guests, water should be left running from the faucets and showerheads for a few minutes every day.
5- Showers, showerheads, and faucets should be cleaned regularly and free of sediment, limescale, and biofilm.
6- Cooling towers should be cleaned and disinfected every 3 months.
7- The boiler room must be cleaned and disinfected at least once a year.
8- Components in all visible locations—particularly water tanks, cooling towers, and water pipes—should be inspected once a month to ensure that they are all sound and leak-free.
9- During maintenance and upgrades to the system, ensure that intermittent current is generated in the network.
Some of the biological growth inhibitors we have developed at Cemkimsan Kimya and manufacture at our plants include:
C BIOCIDE 900; Biocide for closed-loop heating and cooling systems
C BIOCIDE 886; Biocide for cooling towers and open cooling systems
C BIOMID; Bacteria-inhibiting tablet for fan coil and air conditioning systems; applied to the condensate drain pans of fan coil units and air handling units. It is placed as far as possible from the drain outlet of the pan. One tablet remains effective for 4–5 months.
Resul AĞBULUT
Chemical Engineer
Water Treatment Consultant
http://www.hidrodos.com/?pnum=36&pt=LEJYONER+HASTALI%C4%9EI+KONTROL%C3%9C
https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/bulasici-hastaliklar/lejyoner/lejyoner-liste/lejyoner.html
https://mmo.org.tr/sites/default/files/1d0e6287202fced_ek.pdf
Cemkimsan Lecture Notes
