Abstract Legionella is an important waterborne pathogen that causes legionellosis. Public baths are considered the primary cause of legionellosis infection in Japan. We investigated the prevalence and genetic distribution of 338 Legionella spp. isolates from 81 public bathing facilities, including 35 hot springs and 46 other facilities, through annual periodic surveillance in Kobe, Japan, from 2016 to 2021. In addition, the genotypes of nine clinical strains of unknown infectious source from the same period were compared to those of bathwater isolates. We elucidated the differences in the distribution of Legionella species, serogroups, and genotypes between hot springs and other public baths. Legionella israelensis, L. londiniensis, and L. micdadei colonized hot springs along with L. pneumophila. The minimum spanning tree analysis based on multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) also identified four major clonal complexes (CCs) in L. pneumophila SG1 and found that CC1 of the four CCs is a specific novel genotype with the lag-1 gene that occurs in hot springs. The same MLVA and sequence types as those of the clinical strains were not present among the strains isolated from bath water. Thus, our surveillance is useful for estimating the sources of legionellosis infection in Japan and developing prevention strategies.
{"title":"Prevalence and genetic distribution of <i>Legionella</i> spp. in public bath facilities in Kobe City, Japan","authors":"Shoko Komatsu, Shinobu Tanaka, Noriko Nakanishi","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.247","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.247","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Legionella is an important waterborne pathogen that causes legionellosis. Public baths are considered the primary cause of legionellosis infection in Japan. We investigated the prevalence and genetic distribution of 338 Legionella spp. isolates from 81 public bathing facilities, including 35 hot springs and 46 other facilities, through annual periodic surveillance in Kobe, Japan, from 2016 to 2021. In addition, the genotypes of nine clinical strains of unknown infectious source from the same period were compared to those of bathwater isolates. We elucidated the differences in the distribution of Legionella species, serogroups, and genotypes between hot springs and other public baths. Legionella israelensis, L. londiniensis, and L. micdadei colonized hot springs along with L. pneumophila. The minimum spanning tree analysis based on multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) also identified four major clonal complexes (CCs) in L. pneumophila SG1 and found that CC1 of the four CCs is a specific novel genotype with the lag-1 gene that occurs in hot springs. The same MLVA and sequence types as those of the clinical strains were not present among the strains isolated from bath water. Thus, our surveillance is useful for estimating the sources of legionellosis infection in Japan and developing prevention strategies.","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"41 1-3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134908935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asoka Jayaratne, Mellisa Steele, Melita Stevens, Kate van Lieshout, Luke Curran, Matthew Higginbotham, Toby Prosser, Luke Dickson, Kim Mosse, Anthea McManemin
Abstract A wholesale/retail model delivers drinking water to over five million residents in metropolitan Melbourne (Australia). Water safety plans were implemented in 1999 ahead of being mandated in regulations in 2003. With over 20 years of WSP application, this collaborative paper prepared by the wholesaler and retailer utilities presents practical examples of drinking water quality risk management in challenging operational environments, highlighting lessons learnt, improvements made and outcomes achieved. Melbourne's supply systems comprise multiple types of supply sources, necessitating different tailored treatment configurations. Source waters range from an open catchment with multiple treatment barriers to protected catchment source waters requiring solely disinfection treatment (unfiltered) with gravity-driven supply. This makes for a diversity in case studies brought to this paper, and in turn a range of lessons likely to be of interest to the global WSP community. Discussion of the Melbourne utility experience highlights the importance of developing and continually improving control measures for ongoing (adaptive) risk reduction. A robust emergency management plan is also fundamental to ensure preparedness for complex and unpredictable events. Leveraging learnings from audits, incidents and events has also been valuable for process improvement. WSP implementation has also facilitated timely communication with consumer s and other stakeholders.
{"title":"Operationalising water safety plans for Melbourne – a large city case study","authors":"Asoka Jayaratne, Mellisa Steele, Melita Stevens, Kate van Lieshout, Luke Curran, Matthew Higginbotham, Toby Prosser, Luke Dickson, Kim Mosse, Anthea McManemin","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.131","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A wholesale/retail model delivers drinking water to over five million residents in metropolitan Melbourne (Australia). Water safety plans were implemented in 1999 ahead of being mandated in regulations in 2003. With over 20 years of WSP application, this collaborative paper prepared by the wholesaler and retailer utilities presents practical examples of drinking water quality risk management in challenging operational environments, highlighting lessons learnt, improvements made and outcomes achieved. Melbourne's supply systems comprise multiple types of supply sources, necessitating different tailored treatment configurations. Source waters range from an open catchment with multiple treatment barriers to protected catchment source waters requiring solely disinfection treatment (unfiltered) with gravity-driven supply. This makes for a diversity in case studies brought to this paper, and in turn a range of lessons likely to be of interest to the global WSP community. Discussion of the Melbourne utility experience highlights the importance of developing and continually improving control measures for ongoing (adaptive) risk reduction. A robust emergency management plan is also fundamental to ensure preparedness for complex and unpredictable events. Leveraging learnings from audits, incidents and events has also been valuable for process improvement. WSP implementation has also facilitated timely communication with consumer s and other stakeholders.","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"155 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134909470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Criselle Marie Celis, Isabella Marie Caburnay, Fritz Irish Avila, Hannah Mica Conol, Aleli Cuevas, Maria Angela Cunan, J. Piolo Blanco, Kenneth Bryan Banal, Ma. Frieda Z. Hapan, Edilberto P. Manahan, Mark F. F. E. Padua, Frederick R. Masangkay, Giovanni D. Jesus Milanez
Abstract Acanthamoeba spp. is considered ubiquitous highly adaptive. The present study aims to establish the occurrence of free-living amoebae, particularly Acanthamoeba, to exist in extreme environments such as volcanic mud springs. Fifty surface water samples were collected from mud springs (34 samples), and flat rocks (16 samples) were collected, processed, and cultured. After 14 days of incubation, 32 (64%) plates showed positive amoebic growth. Nineteen (55.8%) of these plates came from the mud spring collection site, while 13 (81.2%) samples are from flat rock sources. DNAs from positive samples were made to react to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primer sets JDP1 5′GGCCCAGATCGTTTACCGTGAA-3′ and JDP2 5′TCTCACAAGCTGCTAGGGAGTCA-3′ for cells that resemble Acanthamoeba. Sequencing and basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) revealed a 99% similarity of isolates to Acanthamoeba spp. Identification of Acanthamoebae spp that can persist its survival in higher temperatures is important public health information. The existence of such isolates in the environment has dire health implications, which suggest revisitation of water treatment protocols. Detection of such organisms in environmental sources used for recreational purposes provides information to local and international tourists who frequent them. This will result in the mitigation of potential future infection.
{"title":"First report of <i>Acanthamoebae</i> spp. isolation from a volcanic mud spring in the Philippines","authors":"Criselle Marie Celis, Isabella Marie Caburnay, Fritz Irish Avila, Hannah Mica Conol, Aleli Cuevas, Maria Angela Cunan, J. Piolo Blanco, Kenneth Bryan Banal, Ma. Frieda Z. Hapan, Edilberto P. Manahan, Mark F. F. E. Padua, Frederick R. Masangkay, Giovanni D. Jesus Milanez","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.360","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.360","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Acanthamoeba spp. is considered ubiquitous highly adaptive. The present study aims to establish the occurrence of free-living amoebae, particularly Acanthamoeba, to exist in extreme environments such as volcanic mud springs. Fifty surface water samples were collected from mud springs (34 samples), and flat rocks (16 samples) were collected, processed, and cultured. After 14 days of incubation, 32 (64%) plates showed positive amoebic growth. Nineteen (55.8%) of these plates came from the mud spring collection site, while 13 (81.2%) samples are from flat rock sources. DNAs from positive samples were made to react to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primer sets JDP1 5′GGCCCAGATCGTTTACCGTGAA-3′ and JDP2 5′TCTCACAAGCTGCTAGGGAGTCA-3′ for cells that resemble Acanthamoeba. Sequencing and basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) revealed a 99% similarity of isolates to Acanthamoeba spp. Identification of Acanthamoebae spp that can persist its survival in higher temperatures is important public health information. The existence of such isolates in the environment has dire health implications, which suggest revisitation of water treatment protocols. Detection of such organisms in environmental sources used for recreational purposes provides information to local and international tourists who frequent them. This will result in the mitigation of potential future infection.","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"22 19","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135168281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liu Zhiquan, Wang Zhu, Huang Rui, Cui Fuyi, Hu Chun
Abstract The yield of three disinfection byproduct formation potentials (DBPFPs), including trichloromethane, dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid formation potential (TCMFP, DCAAFP and TCAAFP), by Microcystis aeruginosa under the nitrate and phosphate inhibition conditions was investigated. The results showed that excessive nitrate could inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa, but the concentration of DBPFPs in the five fractions of algal metabolites, including hydrophilic extracellular organic matter (EOM), hydrophobic EOM, hydrophilic intracellular organic matter, hydrophobic intracellular organic matter and cell debris, only decreased slightly. Accordingly, the productivity of DBPFPs by M. aeruginosa increased by approximately 40% under the nitrate inhibition condition and the increased productivity of DBPFPs mainly came from EOM. The phosphate inhibition also performed a similar pattern with a lesser extent. The nutrient inhibition did not change the proportion of these three DPBFPs, and TCMFP accounted for approximately 87% of the total DBPFPs. The inhibition could promote M. aeruginosa to secrete more metabolites. However, the cyanobacteria tended to secrete more DBPFPs under the nitrate inhibition condition, which resulted in an increased specific DBPFP, while they tended to secrete more non-DBPFPs under the phosphate inhibition condition, which resulted in a decreased specific DBPFP.
{"title":"Effects of the nutrient inhibition on the yield of DBPFPs by <i>Microcystis aeruginosa</i>","authors":"Liu Zhiquan, Wang Zhu, Huang Rui, Cui Fuyi, Hu Chun","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.391","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.391","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The yield of three disinfection byproduct formation potentials (DBPFPs), including trichloromethane, dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid formation potential (TCMFP, DCAAFP and TCAAFP), by Microcystis aeruginosa under the nitrate and phosphate inhibition conditions was investigated. The results showed that excessive nitrate could inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa, but the concentration of DBPFPs in the five fractions of algal metabolites, including hydrophilic extracellular organic matter (EOM), hydrophobic EOM, hydrophilic intracellular organic matter, hydrophobic intracellular organic matter and cell debris, only decreased slightly. Accordingly, the productivity of DBPFPs by M. aeruginosa increased by approximately 40% under the nitrate inhibition condition and the increased productivity of DBPFPs mainly came from EOM. The phosphate inhibition also performed a similar pattern with a lesser extent. The nutrient inhibition did not change the proportion of these three DPBFPs, and TCMFP accounted for approximately 87% of the total DBPFPs. The inhibition could promote M. aeruginosa to secrete more metabolites. However, the cyanobacteria tended to secrete more DBPFPs under the nitrate inhibition condition, which resulted in an increased specific DBPFP, while they tended to secrete more non-DBPFPs under the phosphate inhibition condition, which resulted in a decreased specific DBPFP.","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135569717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shakeela Parveen, Zainab Riaz, Saba Saeed, Urwah Ishaque, Mehwish Sultana, Zunaira Faiz, Zainab Shafqat, Saman Shabbir, Sana Ashraf, Amna Marium
Abstract Dengue virus is an arthropod-borne virus, transmitted by Aedes aegypti among humans. In this review, we discussed the epidemiology of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) as well as the disease's natural history, cycles of transmission, clinical diagnosis, aetiology, prevention, therapy, and management. A systematic literature search was done by databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using search terms, ‘dengue fever’, ‘symptoms and causes of dengue fever’, ‘dengue virus transmission’, and ‘strategies to control dengue’. We reviewed relevant literature to identify hazards related to DHF and the most recent recommendations for its management and prevention. Clinical signs and symptoms of dengue infection range from mild dengue fever (DF) to potentially lethal conditions like DHF or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Acute-onset high fever, muscle and joint pain, myalgia, a rash on the skin, hemorrhagic episodes, and circulatory shock are among the most common symptoms. An early diagnosis is vital to lower mortality. As dengue virus infections are self-limiting, but in tropical and subtropical areas, dengue infection has become a public health concern. Hence, developing and executing long-term control policies that can reduce the global burden of DHF is a major issue for public health specialists everywhere (Figure 1).
{"title":"Dengue hemorrhagic fever: a growing global menace","authors":"Shakeela Parveen, Zainab Riaz, Saba Saeed, Urwah Ishaque, Mehwish Sultana, Zunaira Faiz, Zainab Shafqat, Saman Shabbir, Sana Ashraf, Amna Marium","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.114","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Dengue virus is an arthropod-borne virus, transmitted by Aedes aegypti among humans. In this review, we discussed the epidemiology of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) as well as the disease's natural history, cycles of transmission, clinical diagnosis, aetiology, prevention, therapy, and management. A systematic literature search was done by databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using search terms, ‘dengue fever’, ‘symptoms and causes of dengue fever’, ‘dengue virus transmission’, and ‘strategies to control dengue’. We reviewed relevant literature to identify hazards related to DHF and the most recent recommendations for its management and prevention. Clinical signs and symptoms of dengue infection range from mild dengue fever (DF) to potentially lethal conditions like DHF or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Acute-onset high fever, muscle and joint pain, myalgia, a rash on the skin, hemorrhagic episodes, and circulatory shock are among the most common symptoms. An early diagnosis is vital to lower mortality. As dengue virus infections are self-limiting, but in tropical and subtropical areas, dengue infection has become a public health concern. Hence, developing and executing long-term control policies that can reduce the global burden of DHF is a major issue for public health specialists everywhere (Figure 1).","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135567664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Poor hand hygiene practice has been linked to an increase in the number of infections among children in urban slums. Hands are considered an intersection for bacterial transmission, but it is unclear whether the handwashing technique affects bacteria elimination. This study investigated the effect of handwashing on the concentration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and factors related to its reduction among children in an urban slum in Bandung, Indonesia. We observed handwashing and conducted repeated hand swabs before and after handwashing among 137 participants. The mean E. coli concentration on the hands decreased after handwashing, with a higher reduction in E. coli count among students who used soap and had soap contact for more than 10 s during handwashing. Cleaning in-between fingers, using soap, soap contact for more than 10 s, and drying hands with a single-use towel were effective factors for reducing E. coli concentration after handwashing (p < 0.05). More than half of the swab samples (59%) tested positive for E. coli after handwashing, indicating that the children's handwashing technique was not effective in completely removing E. coli from the hands. Moreover, sustained and consistent handwashing practice as a daily behavior in children would maximize the effect.
{"title":"Effect of handwashing on the reduction of <i>Escherichia coli</i> on children's hands in urban slum Indonesia","authors":"Mahmud Aditya Rifqi, Umi Hamidah, Neni Sintawardani, Hidenori Harada, Sikopo Nyambe, Akira Sai, Taro Yamauchi","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.121","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Poor hand hygiene practice has been linked to an increase in the number of infections among children in urban slums. Hands are considered an intersection for bacterial transmission, but it is unclear whether the handwashing technique affects bacteria elimination. This study investigated the effect of handwashing on the concentration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and factors related to its reduction among children in an urban slum in Bandung, Indonesia. We observed handwashing and conducted repeated hand swabs before and after handwashing among 137 participants. The mean E. coli concentration on the hands decreased after handwashing, with a higher reduction in E. coli count among students who used soap and had soap contact for more than 10 s during handwashing. Cleaning in-between fingers, using soap, soap contact for more than 10 s, and drying hands with a single-use towel were effective factors for reducing E. coli concentration after handwashing (p &lt; 0.05). More than half of the swab samples (59%) tested positive for E. coli after handwashing, indicating that the children's handwashing technique was not effective in completely removing E. coli from the hands. Moreover, sustained and consistent handwashing practice as a daily behavior in children would maximize the effect.","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135779300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Albert Ebo Duncan, Christian Adokoh, Martha Osei-Marfo, Samuel Barnie, Aboagye George Sakyi, Josephe Adjei
Abstract Illegal mining has overshadowed pharmaceutical pollution even though exposure to pharmaceutical waste is high. Consumption of fish potentially polluted with pharmaceuticals from the rivers continues with little concern or potential threat it poses. In the present study, the residues of one antibiotic (Chloramphenicol), five hormones (progesterone, 17-beta Estradiol, Estrone, 17a-Ethynylestradiol, and one), three environmental contaminants (4-para-nonylphenol, 4-tert-octylphenol, and Bisphenol A), one barbiturate (Primidone) and one analgesic (Diclofenac sodium salt), were investigated from fish samples from the rivers Pra, Narkwa, and the Volta. The results show a high concentration of drugs in River Pra in comparison to those in Rivers Narkwa and Volta. The hazard quotients (HQs) for the environmental contaminants were all above 1, except Bisphenol A. Furthermore, the HQs from this study suggest that consumers of fish from any of the three rivers stand a hazard risk of Chloramphenicol (19), 17a-Ethynylestradiol (4), Estrone (1.366), Diclofenac sodium salt (3.29), Progesterone (4.598), 4-tert-octylphenol (87.2), and 4-para-nonylphenol (7.252), but negligible risk against E2 (0.687), Primidone (0.014), Testosterone (0.16), and Bisphenol A (0.642). Of the fish species studied, the highest concentration of all pharmaceuticals put together is found in Clarias gariepinus, Labeo senegalensis, and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in that order.
{"title":"Analysis and risk assessment of pharmaceutical residues in fish from three water bodies in Ghana","authors":"Albert Ebo Duncan, Christian Adokoh, Martha Osei-Marfo, Samuel Barnie, Aboagye George Sakyi, Josephe Adjei","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.208","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Illegal mining has overshadowed pharmaceutical pollution even though exposure to pharmaceutical waste is high. Consumption of fish potentially polluted with pharmaceuticals from the rivers continues with little concern or potential threat it poses. In the present study, the residues of one antibiotic (Chloramphenicol), five hormones (progesterone, 17-beta Estradiol, Estrone, 17a-Ethynylestradiol, and one), three environmental contaminants (4-para-nonylphenol, 4-tert-octylphenol, and Bisphenol A), one barbiturate (Primidone) and one analgesic (Diclofenac sodium salt), were investigated from fish samples from the rivers Pra, Narkwa, and the Volta. The results show a high concentration of drugs in River Pra in comparison to those in Rivers Narkwa and Volta. The hazard quotients (HQs) for the environmental contaminants were all above 1, except Bisphenol A. Furthermore, the HQs from this study suggest that consumers of fish from any of the three rivers stand a hazard risk of Chloramphenicol (19), 17a-Ethynylestradiol (4), Estrone (1.366), Diclofenac sodium salt (3.29), Progesterone (4.598), 4-tert-octylphenol (87.2), and 4-para-nonylphenol (7.252), but negligible risk against E2 (0.687), Primidone (0.014), Testosterone (0.16), and Bisphenol A (0.642). Of the fish species studied, the highest concentration of all pharmaceuticals put together is found in Clarias gariepinus, Labeo senegalensis, and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in that order.","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136032621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nuseibah Abd Alhameed El-Amaireh, Habis Al-Zoubi, Omar Ali Al-Khashman
Abstract The amount of medical waste generated has increased enormously since the COVID-19 outbreak. An incineration process is the main method that is usually used to treat this waste, causing an increase in both medical waste bottom ash (MWBA) and medical waste fly ash (MWFA). In this work, the physical and chemical characteristics of MWFA and MWBA were reviewed. This ash contains high levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and heavy metals. Furthermore, medical waste ash appears to have high leachability in the toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) test and the European standard test (EN 12457). Owing to its toxicity, medical ash can be treated using various methods prior to disposal based on the covered review. These techniques include chemical, supercritical fluid, cement-based, melting, microwave, and mechanochemical techniques. The shortcomings of some of these treatment methods have been identified, such as the emission of high levels of chlorine from the melting technique, limited applications of the flotation method on the industrial scale, long-term stability of leachate treated by cement-based methods that have not been confirmed yet, and high energy consumption in the supercritical technique. This review also covers possible applications of medical waste ash in cement production, agriculture, and road construction.
{"title":"Hospital waste incinerator ash: characteristics, treatment techniques, and applications (A review)","authors":"Nuseibah Abd Alhameed El-Amaireh, Habis Al-Zoubi, Omar Ali Al-Khashman","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.299","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.299","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The amount of medical waste generated has increased enormously since the COVID-19 outbreak. An incineration process is the main method that is usually used to treat this waste, causing an increase in both medical waste bottom ash (MWBA) and medical waste fly ash (MWFA). In this work, the physical and chemical characteristics of MWFA and MWBA were reviewed. This ash contains high levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and heavy metals. Furthermore, medical waste ash appears to have high leachability in the toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) test and the European standard test (EN 12457). Owing to its toxicity, medical ash can be treated using various methods prior to disposal based on the covered review. These techniques include chemical, supercritical fluid, cement-based, melting, microwave, and mechanochemical techniques. The shortcomings of some of these treatment methods have been identified, such as the emission of high levels of chlorine from the melting technique, limited applications of the flotation method on the industrial scale, long-term stability of leachate treated by cement-based methods that have not been confirmed yet, and high energy consumption in the supercritical technique. This review also covers possible applications of medical waste ash in cement production, agriculture, and road construction.","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136211365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zsuzsanna Bufa-Dőrr, Ágnes Sebestyén, Bálint Izsák, Oliver Schmoll, Tamás Pándics, Márta Vargha
Abstract A risk-based approach is recognised worldwide as the most reliable means for the provision of safe drinking water. Efficient implementation of the water safety plan (WSP) approach, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), is facilitated by an auditing framework. In Hungary, development of WSPs is a legal obligation for water suppliers. WSPs are subject to a two-stage regulatory audit, a consultative central technical audit and a formal local audit. In 2019, a survey was conducted in cooperation with WHO to evaluate audit experiences of over 1,200 WSPs. Recommendations from the central audit significantly improved coherence and compliance of WSPs, confirming the efficiency of the dual approach. The use of a WSP template provided by the national authority further increased consistency and reduced time and work demand of the audit. Both water suppliers and public health authorities indicated a need for further capacity building on WSP development and auditing. The main challenge for water suppliers is the identification and risk assessment of hazards associated with the water source and distribution within premises. The recast European Union drinking water regulation is expected to accelerate the uptake of WSP and strengthen linkages to water catchment management and water safety in buildings.
{"title":"Dual system of water safety plan auditing in Hungary: benefits and lessons learnt","authors":"Zsuzsanna Bufa-Dőrr, Ágnes Sebestyén, Bálint Izsák, Oliver Schmoll, Tamás Pándics, Márta Vargha","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.130","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A risk-based approach is recognised worldwide as the most reliable means for the provision of safe drinking water. Efficient implementation of the water safety plan (WSP) approach, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), is facilitated by an auditing framework. In Hungary, development of WSPs is a legal obligation for water suppliers. WSPs are subject to a two-stage regulatory audit, a consultative central technical audit and a formal local audit. In 2019, a survey was conducted in cooperation with WHO to evaluate audit experiences of over 1,200 WSPs. Recommendations from the central audit significantly improved coherence and compliance of WSPs, confirming the efficiency of the dual approach. The use of a WSP template provided by the national authority further increased consistency and reduced time and work demand of the audit. Both water suppliers and public health authorities indicated a need for further capacity building on WSP development and auditing. The main challenge for water suppliers is the identification and risk assessment of hazards associated with the water source and distribution within premises. The recast European Union drinking water regulation is expected to accelerate the uptake of WSP and strengthen linkages to water catchment management and water safety in buildings.","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135347280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Different species of free-living amoeba (FLA) have been abundantly isolated in harsh environmental conditions such as hot springs and brackish water. The present study aimed to isolate, genotype, and evaluate the pathogenicity of FLAs in Qom Roud, a large river, in the centre of Iran. About 500 mL of water samples (n = 30) were collected from each sampling site and were investigated for the presence of FLAs using morphological and molecular characters. Genotype identification was performed using DNA sequencing and a phylogenetic tree was constructed with the MEGA X software. The pathogenic potential of all positive isolates was evaluated using the tolerance ability test. Morphological and molecular analysis indicated that 14 (46.66%) and two (6.66%) water samples were positive for Acanthamoeba species and Vahlkampfiidae, respectively. According to sequence analysis, Acanthamoeba isolates related to the T4 genotype and Vahlkampfiidae sequences were similar to Naegleria philippinensis. In the next step, thermo- and osmotolerance tests indicated four Acanthamoeba strains are extremely pathogenic. Our data showed the presence of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba T4 genotype and N. philippinensis in the super harsh Qom Roud. Contamination of water with virulent T4 genotype of Acanthamoeba may pose risk factors for contact lens users, children, and immunocompromised people.
{"title":"Isolation and genotyping of Acanthamoeba species and Vahlkampfiidae in the harsh environmental conditions in the centre of Iran.","authors":"Azam Pourabbasi Ardekan, Maryam Niyyati, Reza Saberi, Leyli Zanjirani Farahani, Marziye Fatemi","doi":"10.2166/wh.2023.203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Different species of free-living amoeba (FLA) have been abundantly isolated in harsh environmental conditions such as hot springs and brackish water. The present study aimed to isolate, genotype, and evaluate the pathogenicity of FLAs in Qom Roud, a large river, in the centre of Iran. About 500 mL of water samples (n = 30) were collected from each sampling site and were investigated for the presence of FLAs using morphological and molecular characters. Genotype identification was performed using DNA sequencing and a phylogenetic tree was constructed with the MEGA X software. The pathogenic potential of all positive isolates was evaluated using the tolerance ability test. Morphological and molecular analysis indicated that 14 (46.66%) and two (6.66%) water samples were positive for Acanthamoeba species and Vahlkampfiidae, respectively. According to sequence analysis, Acanthamoeba isolates related to the T4 genotype and Vahlkampfiidae sequences were similar to Naegleria philippinensis. In the next step, thermo- and osmotolerance tests indicated four Acanthamoeba strains are extremely pathogenic. Our data showed the presence of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba T4 genotype and N. philippinensis in the super harsh Qom Roud. Contamination of water with virulent T4 genotype of Acanthamoeba may pose risk factors for contact lens users, children, and immunocompromised people.</p>","PeriodicalId":17436,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water and health","volume":"21 10","pages":"1572-1579"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/wh_2023_203/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71412711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}