Legionella a “dangerous” bacteria

In fact, the bacteria enters the body through the

airways by inhalation or aspiration of aerosols. The

smaller the water drops the greater the amount

of germs that can easily reach the lower respira-

tory tract, especially the lungs. Aerosols can come

from various sources: the opening of a water tap or

shower of a contaminated water system, whirlpool

bathtubs and swimming pools; Turkish baths and

sauna; ornamental fountains especially if placed

indoors; garden irrigation systems, sanitary wa-

stewater, cooling towers and evaporative coolers,

and air-conditioning systems in general. The latter,

in places where they have been installed, create a

real Legionella risk if they do not receive adequate

and regular maintenance.

Legionella and current legislation

Italian law regulated the Legionella subject with

a series of official guidelines. These concern the

prevention and control of Legionella infection, in-

dications for managers of tourist and spa facilities,

indications for microbiological diagnosis and envi-

ronmental control laboratories.

The Ministry of Health drafted these guidelines for

the first time in May 2000: they were the first natio-

nal document of legislation on Legionella, aimed at

providing health workers with information updated

on Legionella infection, various sources of infection,

diagnostic methods and epidemiological and envi-

ronmental investigations.

The regulatory framework refers to the following

evidence, to which legionella legislation 2018 and

following are:

• Legislative Decree 81/08, “Consolidated Text on

Health and Safety at Work”, offers information on

the guarantee of hygiene of the workplace and wor-

kers’ health.

Regarding Legionella infection, it is the same law

text to establish guidelines for prevention and con-

trol, and the measures to be taken for the control of

legionella in the workplace.

• State-Regions Agreement 2013 and 2015 (79/

CSR of 07/05/2015) integrates the indications of

the previous national guidelines (‘Guidelines for the

prevention and control of Legionella infections, G.U.

5 May 2000; “Guidelines containing indications on

legionella infection for managers of tourist and spa

facilities” and “Guidelines containing indications to

laboratories with activities of microbiological dia-

Enterobacteria

gnosis and environmental control of Legionella in-

fections, G.U.

Legionella infection guidelines stipulate that Le-

gionella Risk Control Protocol is mandatory for all

facilities potentially at risk, with reference to all hy-

draulic and air conditioning systems. The protocol

provides for three phases:

1 - Legionella risk assessment: survey of plants (if

necessary, through sampling by specialized tech-

nicians). The evaluation can be carried out with a

two-year, one-year frequency

when the situation requires timely monitoring (in

case of system changes, renovations, positive

outcome of bacteria examinations with legionella

values above the threshold) 2 − Legionella risk ma-

nagement: measures to prevent legionella (aimed

at maintaining the concentration of microorganisms

present in drinking water within the limits establi-

shed by law) and appointment of a Responsible

for monitoring and verification of activities. All me-

asures to prevent legionella (extraordinary mainte-

nance, use of products and specific equipment for

disinfection by legionella) must be reported in the

Register of Interventions.

3 - Risk communication: information and aware-

ness-raising activities aimed at plant managers,

technicians, category associations and responsibi-

lities of public buildings.

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