O mal dos legionários: um diálogo entre o direito ambiental e o direito sanitário

Abstract

Discussions held on environmental contamination are most of the time related to residues. Nonetheless, environmental contamination can be biological and caused by humans, consciously or not. The case in study relates to humans actions when contaminating the aquatic environment of Legionella bacterium and creating favorable conditions for its proliferation. The bacterium propagation by air contaminates humans, causing a pneumonia known as Legionary Disease. The disease mortality rate is considered high, especially if not diagnosed quickly and treated with the right antibiotic. Concern over Legionary Disease is so seriously taken that many countries have created state, communitarian and civil society institutions to prevent from the disease. Medical-scientific studies are produced every year on this subject. Legionary Disease may be contracted at artificial, labouring, cultural or natural environment. There are no bounds to Legionella bacteria action. Legionary Disease must be a concern for Environmental Law and Hygienic Law, as it may be a threat to the health of present and future generations. Therefore, preventive measures will be the keynote of this study, since they will help to mantain ecological equilibrium and prevent man of misusing environmental resources. This will prevent the creation of favorable conditions for the proliferation of Legionella bacteria