22 de nov. de 2012

London at risk of 'catastrophic' legionnaires' outbreak.

Para evitar problemas graves, foi desenvolvido o Olympic Legionella Project
 
 



http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/nov/14/london-risk-catastrophic-legionnaires-outbreak

London could experience an outbreak of legionnaires' disease with potentially "catastrophic consequences" for people's health because of poor management of cooling towers and evaporative condensers near busy transport hubs and Olympic venues, according to a leaked Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report.
The stark warning is contained in a report by the HSE detailing the results of inspections for the presence of the legionella bacteria, which causes the disease, at 62 sites around the capital, carried out by its inspectors as part of the safety preparations for this summer's Olympic Games.
Inspectors visited sites "within two kilometres of London-based Olympic venues and certain major travel hubs, namely Heathrow airport, London City airport, London Bridge station and St Pancras train station", as well as all sites under the HSE's remit in the central London borough of Westminster, according to the report entitled Olympic Legionella Project, dated "spring/summer 2012".

Brasil está preparado para a Copa do Mundo e Olimpíadas - Legionella



O Brasil está preparado para receber turistas de todo mundo, bem como nós BRASILEIROS estaremos mais protegidos pela ameaça de contaminação pela bactéria Legionella ?
Sem dúvida que os grupos de trabalho tanto para a Copa como para a Olimpíadas ainda não tiveram muito tempo para pensar nisso.
Em Londres, o tema foi discutido e até foi elaborado o Olympic Legionella Project.
Que podemos esperar no Brasil ?
Venho apresentando este tema a muitos anos e ainda acredito que teremos algo de prevenção.
O caso da legionella é preocupante e temos que minimizar os riscos o tempo todo.
Casos em Hoteis não são raros, vide o último no JW Marriott de Chicago. Em São Paulo, casos este ano foram reportados, inclusive pelo CDC Americano, ou seja, o CDC sabe que aqui no Brasil temos problemas.
Temos que ter um plano de minimizar os riscos da legionella a nível de governo e sem dúvida dos gestores de empresa privadas e públicas.
Temos que colocar em prática o " Plano de Segurança no uso da Água" / Water Safety Plan.
Fica meu alerta as autoridades que serão responsáveis por estes grandes eventos.

Leaked report warns of legionella outbreak


Poor management of cooling towers and evaporative condensers could lead to a ‘catastrophic’ legionella outbreak in London, according to a Health and Safety Executive project report obtained by EHN.

The report, which was commissioned in the run up to the London Olympics, found that 73 per cent of cooling towers and evaporative condensers near Olympic venues and travel hubs in the capital required enforcement notices or advice.

‘The headline to arise from this project is the poor level of compliance,’ it states.

It warns an outbreak in London would be far worse than the legionella outbreak in Edinburgh in June, where over 100 people were infected and three people died.

‘[An outbreak in London] will have catastrophic consequences compared to Edinburgh given it is the area with the most footfall within the country,’ the report states.

An outbreak in Stoke-on-Trent in July linked to a hot tub display led to 21 infections and two deaths.

HSE inspectors found that compliance rates were worse in the public sector than the private sector, with 77 percent of cooling towers and evaporative condensers requiring enforcement notices or advice.

The report points to the widespread outsourcing of facilities management in the public sector and calls for ‘better monitoring’.

‘In many public sector organisations in London, the management of wet cooling towers and evaporative condensers is subcontracted to facilities management companies. It is disappointing that issues have been found at such sites given it is their specialism. This is compounded by the high turnover of facilities management companies,’ says the report.

It says most of the public sector sites visited during the project would not normally be proactively inspected as they are deemed low risk by the government.

‘Most if not all of these public sector organisations […] are deemed low risk. They would not have been subject to a proactive inspection,’ says the report. ‘Given the type of work undertaken, they are unlikely to have appeared on the radar as a poor performer. They would not have been inspected had it not been for the Olympics coming to London.’

Nearly all the sites visited used water treatment companies but the report claims some firms are inadequate.

‘Taken together with the increased turnover of facilities management firms leading to management responsibilities changing it could be speculated that scenarios are occurring where an outbreak could happen,’ the report says.

The report, which was completed in July, calls for the findings of the project to be publicised through trade publications and professional associations. However this did not happen.
The project team identified 106 sites near Olympic venues and travel hubs in London. There were 62 HSE enforced sites and nine sites enforced by councils. There were 31 decommissioned sites and four in embassies where enforcement is a ‘grey area’.

Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, told EHN that the report was a 'wake up call' and should have been published.

‘A great pity that the HSE Olympic Project Report has not yet been published. It is a powerful wake-up call for action to rectify the long list of deficiencies found regarding the management of the legionella risk from cooling towers, particularly in the public sector. But for the grace of God there hasn't been an outbreak in London - yet. Urgent action is needed. Legionella kills, but it is preventable,’ he said.

Andrew Watterson, director of the Centre for Public Health and Population Health Research at the University of Stirling, said the government’s distinction between low-risk and high-risk workplaces made little sense.

‘Legionella can present a threat to diverse populations in towns and major cities, the numbers of people who could be affected are very large indeed and the consequences very serious – with both death and serious life-changing illnesses sometimes resulting. With legionella the categorisations of low-risk and high-risk workplaces therefore make little sense,’ he said.
Graham Jukes, CIEH chief executive, said the report painted a worrying picture.

'This report paints a worrying picture about compliance with basic maintenance in the capital especially in the light of recent tragic and high profile legionella outbreaks. In the light of severe public sector resource constraint HSE and local authority EHPs must find more effective ways other than inspection in getting the message out to business that they are responsible for maintaining safe systems of work and for protecting others from harm. It is they who will be held to account for failures and any subsequent tragic consequences,' he said.

The HSE told EHN talk of a catastrophic outbreak was unfounded.

‘This was a comment made by the inspector, who drafted the report, based on speculation and personal opinion. It is not one that is backed up by research or evidence,’ said a spokesperson.

The HSE said formal enforcement action in the form of notices was required at fewer than 10 per cent of the sites visited.

‘Most of this enforcement related to the provision of safe means of access for staff and contractors involved in the monitoring and maintenance of the cooling towers and evaporative condensers, rather than being related directly to legionella management. Verbal and written advice is generally given where it has been identified that improvements can be made and standards raised, but where people are not being put at serious risk,’ said a spokesperson.

The HSE said it was not possible draw any conclusions about the levels of compliance in the public sector as compared with the private sector

‘The inspections in London found some common failings across all sectors in the control of legionella,’ said the spokesperson.

The HSE said research into the outsourcing of facilities management in the public sector was ‘not the purpose of the report’ and claimed ‘there is insufficient information and evidence to draw any conclusions on this issue’.

The HSE said the final report will be made publically available.

‘The final report will be published. Earlier internal drafts were prepared, but as is normal for any publication these have been subject to review, fact checking and further iteration so we can be sure the information published is sufficiently robust and accurate,’ said the spokesperson.

Legionella bacteria, which causes legionnaires’ disease, is found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas. It can grow to dangerous levels in warm conditions and is spread by breathable droplets of water.

Smokers, heavy drinkers and anyone with an impaired immune system or respiratory disease are at particular risk.

20 de nov. de 2012

USGBC San Francisco


Vale a pena ver o que aconteceu:

https://new.usgbc.org/

Green Building Award for Brazil's Sustainability Champion

San Francisco (Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012) - An architect responsible for transforming Brazil’s built environment has been presented with the second annual World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) David Gottfried Global Green Building Entrepreneurship Award.
With more than half a century working in the construction industry, Professor Siegbert Zanettini is a pioneer in the use of new clean technologies and building systems.
Presenting the award, founder of the WorldGBC and U.S. Green Building Council, David Gottfried said that “Professor Zanettini was selected for his distinguished lifetime contribution to the development and growth of Brazil’s sustainable construction sector. Professor Zanettini has worked on more than 1,200 projects, from offices and schools, to hospitals and sports arenas, and his sustainability principles are now widely used throughout the region.”
The award was presented during the annual WorldGBC and Lend Lease reception, held as part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. This year marks the tenth anniversary since the WorldGBC’s establishment in 2002.
Speaking at the cocktail reception, Lend Lease’s Group Head of Sustainability, Joe Van Belleghem, said: “Lend Lease has proudly partnered with the World Green Building Council for five years to co-host this event, which honors the outstanding contributions being made by our green building leaders. Mr Zanettini is a well-deserved recipient of this prestigious award for demonstrating that buildings can be high-performing, comfortable, healthy and environmentally-sustainable spaces.”
“The global green building industry currently represents more than 20,000 companies in 92 nations. Today, we have more than 10 billion square feet of green registered space around the world, and Professor Zanettini’s contribution to this achievement cannot be understated,” said the Chief Executive Officer of the WorldGBC, Jane Henley.
“This award recognizes that Professor Zanettini has challenged the property and construction industry to strive for higher sustainability standards not only in Brazil, but throughout the world,” Ms Henley concludes.
DAVID GOTTFRIED GLOBAL GREEN BUILDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
The David Gottfried Global Green Building Entrepreneurship Award was named in honor of the founder of the WorldGBC, who also served as the first president of the U.S. Green Building Council and was one of the founders of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building rating system. The award was presented in 2011 to David Gottfried, and is now an annual award honoring lifetime achievement and contributions to the development and growth of the green building industry through leadership, dedication and innovation.
WORLD GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL
Established in 2002, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is the world’s largest organisation influencing the sustainable built environment. The WorldGBC connect the leaders of the green building movement and, through the 20,000 organisations it represents, is creating sustainable buildings, communities and cities. By collaborating with its 92 member green building councils, the WorldGBC fosters the growth of GBCs by providing them with the systems and strategies to transform their local markets. The WorldGBC drives collaboration between international governments and not-for-profit organisations, advocates green building policies and provides a common voice for a growing industry. Visit: www.worldgbc.org

18 de nov. de 2012

Legionella - Chicago

Esta semana vamos acompanhar de perto o caso de Legionella no JW Marriott de Chicago. Vamos ter reniões com técnicos e especialistas que estudaram o caso que teve uma grande repercursão na mídia mundial.

16 de nov. de 2012

Congresso San Francisco USGBC

Detalhes das visitas técnicas hoje sexta feira dia 16/11.



15 de nov. de 2012

SETRI visita stand da Diversey no Congresso do USGBC


A SETRI esteve no stand da Diversey para conhecer em detalhes as tecnologias de serviços de limpeza e higienização com a tecnologia HHPC com produtos acreditados GREENGARD.

Congresso do USGBC em San Francisco







14 de nov. de 2012

A ARTE DE ITERAGIR COM CRIANÇAS


Vejam o livro A ARTE DE INTERAGIR COM CRIANÇAS  e rever o DVD a ARTE DE EDUCAR CRIANÇAS.


Escritora e Produtora : Vera Regina Cunha Bensoussan

13 de nov. de 2012

Congresso USGBC - San Francisco


                                                                     Grupo do GBC Brasil


Já estamos participando do Congresso de Sustentabilidade do USGBC.
SETRI Brasil e SETRI Colombia ativos mais uma vez.

Segundo IBGE, mais de 70% dos municípios não têm política de saneamento; 48,7% não fiscalizam qualidade da água

Dados inéditos do IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística) mostram que 71,8% dos municípios não possuíam, em 2011, uma política municipal de saneamento básico. A estatística corresponde a 3.995 cidades que não respeitam a Lei Nacional de Saneamento Básico, aprovada em 2007.
A maioria (60,5%) não tinha acompanhamento algum quanto às licenças de esgotamento sanitário, além da drenagem e manejo de águas pluviais urbanas e do abastecimento de água. Em quase metade das cidades do país (47,8%), não há órgão de fiscalização da qualidade da água.
Segundo a "Pesquisa de Informações Básicas Municipais", a Munic, divulgado nesta terça-feira (13), 1.569 cidades possuíam políticas dessa natureza, isto é, 28,2% dos 5.564 municípios brasileiros. A Lei 11.445, que dispõe sobre diretrizes nacionais para o saneamento básico, determina que todas as cidades devem elaborar seus respectivos planos municipais.
O decreto diz ainda que as prefeituras devem estabelecer mecanismos de fiscalização quanto ao abastecimento de água, esgotamento sanitário, entre outros. No entanto, 4.060 municípios (73%) ainda não aprovaram normas neste sentido, para qualquer um dos serviços de saneamento básico.
Entre as cidades que têm estrutura específica, isto é, gestores públicos responsáveis por ações referentes ao tema, 768 (48,9%) definiram metas e estratégias por meio de planos municipais devidamente aprovados pelo poder legislativo local. Já 759 municípios (48,4%) utilizavam prestação de serviços e/ou realizavam processo licitatório.
Menos da metade (46,1%) das cidades que possuem planos municipais de saneamento básico direcionam esforços para ações emergenciais e de contingências

obs: Quem será que está atedendo a Portaria 2914

6 de nov. de 2012

Portaria 2914 Perguntas e Respostas


A SETRI com o objetivo de auxiliar o entendimento da Portaria 2914, divulga o material apresentado pelo Ministério da Saúde.

Lembramos da importância do Plano de Segurança no uso da Água (Water Safety Plan)


PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS SOBRE A PORTARIA MS N° 2.914/2011       

O Programa Nacional de Vigilância da Qualidade da Água para Consumo Humano – Vigiagua acaba de lançar o documento PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS SOBRE A PORTARIA MS N° 2.914/2011.

O documento é destinado aos técnicos do Vigiagua das Secretarias Estaduais e Municipais de Saúde, aos responsáveis pelo sistema ou solução alternativa coletiva de abastecimento de água para consumo humano, aos técnicos das agências reguladoras, aos técnicos dos Laboratórios de Saúde Pública, além de outros profissionais que atuam na vigilância e no controle da qualidade da água para consumo humano.

A publicação foi elaborada com o objetivo de esclarecer as principais dúvidas relacionadas à atual Portaria de Potabilidade da Água para Consumo Humano (Portaria MS n° 2.914/2011), e está organizado segundo os capítulos da própria norma.

http://189.28.128.179:8080/pisast/saude-ambiental/vigiagua/publicacoes-e-manuais/PERGUNTAS%20E%20RESPOSTAS%20SOBRE%20A%20PORTARIA%20MS%20N%202%20914%20_2011_%20_3_%20_2_%20-2.pdf

4 de nov. de 2012

Las dudas sobre la verdadera causa de la muerte de Blanca Vicuña

La niña se habría contagiado de la bacteria legionelosis, conocida como la enfermedad del legionario y del aire acondicionado.
ESPERA. En las próximas horas habría un parte oficial de las clínica en donde estuvo internada Blanca Vicuña. FOTO TOMADA DE SPM.CL
           
BUENOS AIRES.- El Calvario que culminó con la muerte de Blanca Vicuña, la hija de la modelo Carolina "Pampita" Ardohain y el actor chileno Benjamín Vicuña, por una neumonía hemorrágica comenzó el jueves 30 de agosto. Ese día, la pequeña fue internada en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UTI) de la Clínica Las Condes, en Santiago del Chile.

Tras unas vacaciones en la Riviera Maya, nadie imaginó que la familia Vicuña-Ardohain iba a pasar por este terrible momento. Al regresar a Chile, la salud de Blanca, de seis años, comenzó a complicarse severamente. Lo que empezó como un resfrío cuando estaban en la playa se convirtió en un cuadro mucho más preocupante: ganglios inflamados y fiebre determinaron que sus padres la lleven a la Clínica Las Condes de la capital chilena donde quedó internada, informó el diario porteño "La Nación".

Según los primeros rumores, se trababa de una extraña bacteria que se alojó en el cuerpo de la niña de seis años durante las vacaciones familiares en Cancún. A pesar de permanecer internada durante nueve días, nunca hubo un parte médico oficial de la clínica para saber cuál era la enfermedad que padecía, pese a esfuerzo de los medios de comunicación por conseguir detalles de la situación.

Por ello, agregó el matutino, surgieron versiones extraoficiales y sólo Mirtha Legrand, suegra de Gonzalo Valenzuela -el mejor amigo de Vicuña- afirmó hace algunos días que se trata de dos bacterias y que por ello le tenían que dar antibióticos para combatirlas.

Mientras se espera el parte oficial de la clínica, hay indicios de que se trata de la bacteria legionelosis, conocida como la enfermedad del legionario y del aire acondicionado. (Lanacion.com-Infobae.com)

¿Qué es la legionelosis?

La legionelosis es una enfermedad cuyo reconocimiento se produjo en 1976. El motivo hay que buscarlo en una convención de legionarios –de ahí su nombre– que tuvo lugar en Estados Unidos, concretamente en un hotel de Filadelfia. Desde entonces se empezaron a identificar otros brotes que se remontan hasta el año 1947. La mayoría de los casos se presentan como hechos únicos y aislados. Las epidemias son relativamente raras.

La bacteria legionela
La legionelosis es una infección bacteriana que no se transmite de persona a persona. La bacteria accede al organismo a través de la respiración. Tiene su hábitat natural en el agua, y cuando se dan las condiciones idóneas, puede desarrollarse de un modo desmesurado. Estas condiciones incluyen la temperatura, el estancamiento o el mantenimiento inadecuado de ciertas instalaciones, como pueden ser los sistemas de climatización, fuentes o sistemas de distribución de agua caliente.

Informe de La Gaceta

Este caso ocorreu em setembro de 2012 e até o momento não se definiu exatamente o que de fato ocorreu. Existe a suspeita de legionella.