Evaluation of Legionella spp. Colonization in Residential Buildings Having Solar Thermal System for Hot Water Production

Michele Totaro, Anna Laura Costa, Lorenzo Frendo, Sara Profeti, Beatrice Casini, Antonio Gallo, Gaetano Privitera and Angelo Baggiani
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Michele Totaro: Department of Translational Research N.T.M.S, University of Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy
Anna Laura Costa: Department of Translational Research N.T.M.S, University of Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy
Lorenzo Frendo: Department of Translational Research N.T.M.S, University of Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy
Sara Profeti: Department of Translational Research N.T.M.S, University of Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy
Beatrice Casini: Department of Translational Research N.T.M.S, University of Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy
Antonio Gallo: Division of Public Health and Nutrition, Area of Pisa, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, 56123 Pisa, Italy
Gaetano Privitera: Department of Translational Research N.T.M.S, University of Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy
Angelo Baggiani: Department of Translational Research N.T.M.S, University of Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-8

Abstract: Despite an increase of literature data on Legionella spp. presence in private water systems, epidemiological reports assert a continuing high incidence of Legionnaires’ disease infection in Italy. In this study, we report a survey on Legionella spp. colonization in 58 buildings with solar thermal systems for hot water production (TB). In all buildings, Legionella spp. presence was enumerated in hot and cold water samples. Microbiological potability standards of cold water were also evaluated. Legionella spp. was detected in 40% of the buildings. Moreover, we detected correlations between the count of Legionella spp. and the presence of the optimal temperature for the microorganism growth (less than 40 °C). Our results showed that cold water was free from microbiological hazards, but Legionella spp., was detected when the mean cold water temperature was 19.1 ± 2.2 °C. This may considered close to the suboptimal value for the Legionella growth (more then 20 °C). In conclusion, we observed the presence of a Legionnaires’ disease risk and the need of some strategies aimed to reduce it, such as the application of training programs for all the workers involved in water systems maintenance.

Keywords: Legionella spp.; residential buildings; waterborne pathogens; solar thermal panels (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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