Romania heat wave prompts public to avoid air conditioning over Legionella concerns

During a severe heat wave with temperatures above 35 °C, an increasing number of Romanians are forgoing the use of air‑conditioning units, fearing contamination by the Legionella bacterium. Health specialists stress that the risk stems not from the devices themselves but from inadequate cleaning and poor ventilation, which can create conditions for the so‑called “sick building syndrome”.

People opting out of air‑conditioning are turning to fans or open windows, while cleaning companies report a sharp rise in requests for professional disinfection of units, a service that typically costs between 150 and 300 lei and should be performed at least once a year before the hot season. Legionella spreads through inhalation of contaminated aerosols from stagnant water in poorly maintained systems and can cause respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, chest discomfort and headaches. Medical advice urges anyone experiencing these signs to seek urgent care.