LEGIONELLA (Preocupação em todo o mundo)

Em muitos paises a LEGIONELLA é parte integrante de preocupação e ações. Fazer análise da água para saber se tem ou não tem LEGIONELLA não é a solução. Muitas empresas, inclusive no Brasil, acham que estão fazendo o correto se analisarem a água. Pois bem, se der negativo ? Tudo parece bem e a falsa segurança entra no sentimento. Se der positivo ? Uma catástrofe e o que fazer ?
Nem sempre um resultado negativo é bom, nem o resultado positivo é ruim. Lembramos que uma coleta de amostra é feita em um determinado momento, no momento seguinte tudo fica diferente. Não será pela análise que vamos saber se tudo está bem ou ruim. Importaante é fazer uma avaliação de risco (Risk Assessment), para que possamos definir que ações devem ser feitas para minimizar os riscos provocados pela LEGIONELLA.
Muitos laboratórios dizem que fazendo análise é suficiente, isso não é verdade. Consulte um especialista em avaliação de risco.
Para complementar o que estou dizendo, segue um artigo interessante publicado hoje na Inglaterra.

TRADE ASSOCIATION SAYS MORE MUST BE DONE TO COMBAT LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE

7 Dec, 2011 17:10 CET

Deaths and serious illness resulting from Legionnaires’ disease is still far too prevalent in hotels, hospitals and other public buildings, and is usually the consequence of poor maintenance regimes or complacency. The HVCA says more needs to be done to combat this ever-present threat.

7 December 2011 – Most people remember the tragic outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in 2002 in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, resulting in the deaths of seven members of the public with a further 180 people taken ill. Yet, almost 10 years on, incidents of Legionnaires’ disease in workplaces, hotels, hospitals and other public buildings are still occurring on a regular basis.
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which can affect anybody but primarily affects those who are more susceptible because of their age, those suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease and people whose immune system is impaired. Infection is caused by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria.
Water temperature between 20°C and 50°C is the range in which Legionella bacteria will proliferate most rapidly, with the optimum temperature believed to be 37°C. Legionella bacteria is however killed within a few minutes at water temperatures above 60°C.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), says that a regular programme of inspection and maintenance of air conditioning, water holding and water supply systems is essential if future deaths from Legionnaires’ are to be avoided. Mr Judd comments, “On average there are approximately 300 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease each year in the UK and when clusters of cases occur they can typically be traced back to poorly maintained cooling tower systems, air conditioning plant or hot and cold water systems in offices, factories, hotels, hospitals and other larger establishments.
“Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia but it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of creating the conditions in which the legionella bacteria thrive by taking important measures such as a programme of regular inspection and maintenance of susceptible plant and equipment including regular cleaning and disinfection.
“Building owners and occupiers should be aware of, and comply with, their legal obligations, and these are set out in a single document, published by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), called ‘Legionnaires’ disease – The control of legionella bacteria in water systems’. This is a HSC Approved Code of Practice (ACoP), commonly referred to as L8.

Veja tambem a nova recomendação da ASHRAE sobre o tema LEGIONELLA, onde se indica a avaliação de risco pelo método HACCP.
A SETRI possui técnicos especializados em Risk Assessment no Brasil.