Environment and health - Water safety

Title

Reference

June J Cheng, Corinne J Schuster-Wallace, Susan Watt, Bruce K Newbold and Andrew Mente

Author(s)

Environmental Health 2012, 11:4 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-11-4

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Water and sanitation access are known to be related to newborn, child, and maternal health. Our study attempts to quantify these relationships globally using country-level data: How much does improving access to water and sanitation influence infant, child, and maternal mortality?

Data for 193 countries were abstracted from global databases (World Bank, WHO, and UNICEF). Linear regression was used for the outcomes of under-five mortality rate and infant mortality rate (IMR). These results are presented as events per 1000 live births. Ordinal logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios for the outcome of maternal mortality ratio (MMR).

Under-five mortality rate decreased by 1.17 (95%CI 1.08-1.26) deaths per 1000, p < 0.001, for every quartile increase in population water access after adjustments for confounders. There was a similar relationship between quartile increase of sanitation access and under-five mortality rate, with a decrease of 1.66 (95%CI 1.11-1.32) deaths per 1000, p < 0.001. Improved water access was also related to IMR, with the IMR decreasing by 1.14 (95%CI 1.05-1.23) deaths per 1000, p < 0.001, with increasing quartile of access to improved water source. The significance of this relationship was retained with quartile improvement in sanitation access, where the decrease in IMR was 1.66 (95%CI 1.11-1.32) deaths per 1000, p < 0.001. The estimated odds ratio that increased quartile of water access was significantly associated with increased quartile of MMR was 0.58 (95%CI 0.39-0.86), p = 0.008. The corresponding odds ratio for sanitation was 0.52 (95%CI 0.32-0.85), p = 0.009, both suggesting that better water and sanitation were associated with decreased MMR.

Our analyses suggest that access to water and sanitation independently contribute to child and maternal mortality outcomes. If the world is to seriously address the Millennium Development Goals of reducing child and maternal mortality, then improved water and sanitation accesses are key strategies.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Water safety
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Water; Sanitation; Maternal health; Infant health; Child health; Millennium development goals

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert 

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http://www.ehjournal.net/content/11/1/4
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Contact the study author at:

june.cheng@medportal.ca

Title

Quantifying the effect of Managed Aquifer Recharge on the microbiological human health risks of irrigating crops with recycled water

Reference

Agricultural Water Management
Volume 99, Issue 1, November 2011, Pages 93–102

Author(s)

Neus Ayuso-Gabella, Declan Page, Costantino Masciopinto, , Avi Aharoni, Miquel Salgot, Thomas Wintgens,

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is increasingly being used for water recycling via aquifers and recovery for irrigation. Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) was used to assess the human health risks from irrigation using reclaimed water and to evaluate the reduction in risk where MAR is used for irrigation management. Four MAR sites (Shafdan, Israel; Nardò, Italy; Bolivar, Australia; and Sabadell, Spain) that use reclaimed water for crop and/or park irrigation were evaluated, and the risk to human health was quantified in terms of DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years). The results indicated that median risks for all scenarios and pathogens evaluated were acceptable (<10−6 DALYs) with the exception of risks from accidental aerosol ingestion and bacterial pathogens at the Nardò site. MAR was found to be one of the most important treatment barriers in terms of log10 inactivation credits and hence a useful tool for recycled water irrigation management. The Shafdan site relied almost completely on the MAR treatment to reduce the human health risks from irrigation to acceptable levels. For the Nardò site MAR was also an important barrier, where if MAR had not been used as part of the irrigation system the risk would be unacceptable for protozoa and viruses. The Bolivar and Sabadell sites had much larger and more technologically complex recycled water treatment systems and as such MAR was not a critical barrier in managing human health risks.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Crop management
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Water safety
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety
Water >> Water consumption >> Water reuse

Keywords

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR); Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA); Reclaimed water; Irrigation; Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377411001715
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mnayuso@ub.edu

Title

Long-term effects of ocean warming on the prokaryotic community: evidence from the vibrios

Reference

The ISME Journal (2012) 6, 21–30; doi:10.1038/ismej.2011.89; published online 14 July 2011

Author(s)

Luigi Vezzulli, Ingrid Brettar, Elisabetta Pezzati, Philip C Reid, Rita R Colwell, Manfred G Höfle and Carla Pruzzo

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The long-term effects of ocean warming on prokaryotic communities are unknown because of lack of historical data. We overcame this gap by applying a retrospective molecular analysis to the bacterial community on formalin-fixed samples from the historical Continuous Plankton Recorder archive, which is one of the longest and most geographically extensive collections of marine biological samples in the world. We showed that during the last half century, ubiquitous marine bacteria of the Vibrio genus, including Vibrio cholerae, increased in dominance within the plankton-associated bacterial community of the North Sea, where an unprecedented increase in bathing infections related to these bacteria was recently reported. Among environmental variables, increased sea surface temperature explained 45% of the variance in Vibrio data, supporting the view that ocean warming is favouring the spread of vibrios and may be the cause of the globally increasing trend in their associated diseases.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Water safety
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity

Keywords

climate change; North Sea; vibrios; Vibrio cholerae; plankton

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.nature.com/ismej/journal/v6/n1/full/ismej201189a.html
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luigi.vezzulli@unige.it

Title

Recurrent floods and prevalence of diarrhea among under five children: observations from Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, India

Reference

Global Health Action 2011, 4: 6355 - DOI: 10.3402/gha.v4i0.6355
EU funded

Author(s)

Pooran C. Joshi, Sonia Kaushal, Bijaya S. Aribam, Prashant Khattri, Olivia D'Aoust, Mongjam M. Singh, Michael Marx, Debarati Guha-Sapir

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background: Diarrhea is an important problem among the under-five children in India. Objective: The paper examines long-term impacts of recurrent floods on diarrhoea among under-five children in Uttar Pradesh, India. Design: A two stage stratified cluster survey was conducted in flood affected (exposed) and non-flood affected areas (unexposed). Results: The long-term impact of the floods was not clearly marked in the overall prevalence of diarrhea with the exposed group having prevalence of 55.1% as against 56.2% in the unexposed group of children under five. Economic condition of the household is associated with the prevalence of diarrhea in both exposed and unexposed strata. Anemia was found to be a significant risk factor for diarrhea among children in both the flood exposed and non-flood exposed populations. The recurrent floods did not have any significant effect on the prevalence of diarrhea in relation to gender, religion, caste, and household size. Conclusions: The study indicates that the long-term impacts of floods are very differently manifested than the immediate impacts.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Water safety

Keywords

diarrhea; recurrent flood; under-five children; Uttar Pradesh

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.globalhealthaction.net/index.php/gha/article/view/6355
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Contact the study author at:

pcjoshi@anthro.du.ac.in

Title

Surveillance of adenoviruses and noroviruses in European recreational waters

Reference

Water Research
Volume 45, Issue 3, January 2011, Pages 1025-1038

Author(s)

Peter Wyn-Jones , Annalaura Carducci, Nigel Cook, Martin D'Agostino et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Exposure to human pathogenic viruses in recreational waters has been shown to cause disease outbreaks. In the context of Article 14 of the revised European Bathing Waters Directive 2006/7/EC (rBWD, CEU, 2006) a Europe-wide surveillance study was carried out to determine the frequency of occurrence of two human enteric viruses in recreational waters. Adenoviruses were selected based on their near-universal shedding and environmental survival, and noroviruses (NoV) selected as being the most prevalent gastroenteritis agent worldwide. Concentration of marine and freshwater samples was done by adsorption/elution followed by molecular detection by (RT)-PCR. Out of 1410 samples, 553 (39.2%) were positive for one or more of the target viruses. Adenoviruses, detected in 36.4% of samples, were more prevalent than noroviruses (9.4%), with 3.5% GI and 6.2% GII, some samples being positive for both GI and GII. Of 513 human adenovirus-positive samples, 63 (12.3%) were also norovirus-positive, whereas 69 (7.7%) norovirus-positive samples were adenovirus-negative. More freshwater samples than marine water samples were virus-positive. Out of a small selection of samples tested for adenovirus infectivity, approximately one-quarter were positive. Sixty percent of 132 nested-PCR adenovirus-positive samples analysed by quantitative PCR gave a mean value of over 3000 genome copies per L of water. The simultaneous detection of infectious adenovirus and of adenovirus and NoV by (RT)PCR suggests that the presence of infectious viruses in recreational waters may constitute a public health risk upon exposure. These studies support the case for considering adenoviruses as an indicator of bathing water quality.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Water safety
Marine ecosystems >> Coastal management
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Adenoviruses, Noroviruses, Bathing water, River water, Sea water, Recreational water, Water quality

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135410007104
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pyw@aber.ac.uk

Title

The Red Mud Accident in Ajka (Hungary): Characterization and Potential Health Effects of Fugitive Dust

Reference

Environ. Sci. Technology
DOI: 10.1021/es104005r

Author(s)

Andras Gelencser, Nora Kovats, Beatrix Turczi et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

As a result of a tragic industrial accident, a highly alkaline red mud sludge inundated settlements and agricultural areas near Ajka, Hungary on October 4, 2010. One of the major concerns about the aftermaths of the accident is the potential health effects of vast amounts of fugitive dust from red mud sediment. Thus, we studied the chemical and physical properties of particles of red mud and its respirable fugitive dust, and performed toxicity measurements. Under unfavorable meteorological conditions dry red mud sediment could emit very high amounts of respirable alkaline particles into the air. The number size distribution of fugitive dust peaks above 1 µm aerodynamic diameter; therefore, its inhalation is unlikely to affect the deep regions of the lungs. No significant mineralogical or elemental fractionation was observed between the sediment and dust, with the major minerals being hematite, cancrinite, calcite, and hydrogarnet. Although the high resuspension potential and alkalinity might pose some problems such as the irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes, based on its size distribution and composition red mud dust appears to be less hazardous to human health than urban particulate matter.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Water safety
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Industrial accidents
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es104005r
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Contact the study author at:

mihaly.posfai@gmail.com