Influence of Air Conditioning Devices Age, Distribution Installation Materials, Maintenance and Dynamics of Use on the Appearance of Legionella: A Study Conducted in the Territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Because man strives to ensure the comfort in living and working spaces, there is a lot of air conditioning devices to achieve the desired temperature. Bacteria from the genus Legionella is a pathogenic bacterium that can cause the disease to occur in very severe form. It most often inhabits water systems created by human activity, among which are air conditioning devices, which is why there is a need to test factors that favors bacteria colonization. The study included 79 facilities from the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, of which 42 or 53.2% facilities with centralized, and 37 or 46.8% facilities with individual air conditioning devices. Data were collected using a survey and laboratory analysis of samples. The analysis was performed individually, taking into account the different requirements and complexity of the two types of air conditioning devices. The objectives were related to the correlation between the age, distribution installation material, project, the maintenance dynamics and the need to use the air conditioner with Legionella spp. colonization. The results indicate a positive influence of the air conditioner age and steel distribution installation on the Legionella spp. colonization. Significant correlation was not observed between the collected survey responses (project, maintenance and the air conditioner use frequency) and the Legionella spp. colonization. The identification of factors that positively correlate with the presence of Legionella spp. in air conditioning devices has significant public health and technical contribution, especially in the context of legionellosis prevention, the implementation of adequate monitoring and maintenance.