Swedish public health authorities have issued new guidance aimed at preventing Legionnaires’ disease,a severe form of pneumonia,linked to improperly maintained cooling towers. The Folkhälsomyndigheten’s extensive resource-the first of its kind in sweden-provides oversight and investigative support for environmental and health inspectors, as well as clarifying responsibilities for building owners and operators. While outbreaks are infrequent within the country, the potentially severe health impacts of *Legionella* bacteria necessitate increased vigilance and a new reporting requirement for all cooling towers went into effect February 1, 2024 .
Public health officials have released new guidance for overseeing cooling towers, structures that can pose a risk of Legionnaires’ disease if not properly maintained. The guidance is intended to support environmental and health inspectors in their oversight and investigation efforts.
The new resource, developed by the Folkhälsomyndigheten, is also designed to help businesses, property owners, and others understand the potential hazards and responsibilities associated with cooling towers. It marks the first comprehensive document of its kind addressing the issue.
Cooling towers are commonly used to regulate temperatures in buildings and industrial processes. However, if not properly managed, they can release Legionella bacteria into the air as a fine mist, known as aerosols. Inhaling these aerosols can lead to serious illness.
While documented outbreaks linked to cooling towers are relatively rare in Sweden, the potential for severe health consequences necessitates vigilant oversight, according to Maria Arwidsson, an investigator at the Folkhälsomyndigheten. “There are few documented outbreaks from cooling towers in Sweden, but an outbreak can have serious consequences. Therefore, supervision is important, and we hope this guidance will provide good support in that work,” Arwidsson said.
To aid in understanding, the Folkhälsomyndigheten has also created a short film explaining how cooling towers function and the associated risks.
As of February 1, 2024, a new reporting requirement for cooling towers has been implemented. This regulation mandates that businesses report all cooling towers to their local environmental and health protection authorities. This proactive measure aims to improve monitoring and reduce the risk of Legionella exposure, a significant public health concern.
