Published: Less than 30 min ago
Updated: Just now
The tips and advice on how households can save electricity are pouring in.
But the Public Health Agency is now raising a finger of warning that some advice can have serious consequences – such as tinkering with the water heater.
– There is a higher risk if you are or have been a smoker or are older or immunocompromised, says microbiologist Caroline Schönning at the Public Health Agency.
Several pieces of advice are requested and many given in connection with the fact that electricity prices have now skyrocketed.
It could be about lowering the temperature or not showering for as long.
One piece of advice that has come up has been to change the temperature in the water heater. Now the Public Health Agency is warning households to adjust the temperature.
The reason is that it can lead to Legionnaires’ disease which occurs through inhalation.
– The risk that we have highlighted by lowering the temperature in the water heater is that there will be an increased opportunity for legionella bacteria to grow. There may be more favorable temperatures for them, says Caroline Schönning, microbiologist at the Public Health Agency who was first interviewed by GP.
Grows best in a certain temperature
The Public Health Authority’s advice is that the water heater should stay at 60 degrees. By lowering the temperature, the risk of legionella bacteria increases.
– The assessment is that there is an increased risk of growth of legionella bacteria if you have it in your system, which means an increased risk of getting sick if you are exposed via your shower, says Caroline Schönning.
The bacterium grows best in temperatures between 20 and 45 degrees and can at worst lead to Legionnaires’ disease. The infection is spread by inhalation and can lead to severe pneumonia with high fever or headache and muscle pain.
Higher risk for smokers
Caroline Schönning explains that legionella is transmitted by inhaling soil particles or small water droplets. It is not dangerous to drink and be infected by breathing.
– There is no known connection between how much bacteria one must ingest and the risk of getting sick, but the higher the levels in a water system, the more serious the risk is considered to be. There is a higher risk if you are or have been a smoker or are elderly or immunocompromised.
According to the Public Health Authority’s recommendations, which are based on the Housing Agency’s rules and advice, the temperature in the water heater should be at least 60 degrees and at least 50 degrees at all tap points.
Do not shower for as long
Caroline Schönning underlines whether it is common to lower the temperature, but that there have been questions from private individuals and municipalities.
– We have seen a need to review whether we need to inform but also collaborate with other authorities to see what information needs exist, says Caroline Schönning.
Around 200 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported each year, and those most often affected are the elderly or people with a weakened immune system.
But there are other tricks instead of touching the water heater. Like, for example, taking a shorter shower, says Caroline Schönning.
– The alternative is to shower shorter, to use less hot water, it should be able to even out.