Analiza przestrzenna ryzyka zagrożenia zdrowotnego wywołanego obecnos̈cią bakterii z rodzaju Legionella w instalacjach ciepłej wody w województwie s̈ląskim

Considering the risk from microbiological hazards associated with Legionella spp. contamination of hot water systems, the results of hot water quality control in the period 2010-2013 were presented for multi-family residential buildings and health care facilities in Silesia Province. The risk assessment included the Legionella spp. presence and the water temperature. A method for the assessment of health risk caused by Legionella spp. was demonstrated together with the evaluation of hazardous operating conditions of certain water supply systems. Population density as a spatial variable as well as water contamination level with Legionella spp. were taken into account in these procedures. The microbiological contamination analysis for individual object groups demonstrated that Legionella spp. colonization of the hot water systems was by 20% more common in health care units than in multi-family residential buildings. It was demonstrated that probability of health hazards due to water contamination with Legionella spp. in Silesia Province is 0.188 while the spatial risk allowed classification of this region in the 'controlled risk' category. Therefore, appropriate surveillance is required for all facilities in order to ensure efficient prevention measures that would allow minimizing potential adverse effects of health risks due to microbiological contamination of the hot water systems.