scholarly journals Drinking Water Standards and Their Implementation—A Critical Assessment

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 2918
Author(s):  
Charikleia Tsaridou ◽  
Anastasios J. Karabelas
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Biological Species ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Synthetic Chemicals ◽  
Scientific Technical

Diminishing clean water resources and their pollution (due to human activities and climatic change) are of great concern on a global basis. Under such conditions, the adequacy of drinking water (DW) standards and their meticulous implementation are issues of utmost importance in safeguarding human health. Unfortunately, the significant number of disease outbreaks (and of other suspected/potential health effects) related to DW, even in developed countries, attests to the fact that these issues require vigilance and continuous re-appraisal, particularly considering the assorted emerging contaminants and the ever-improving technological tools to cope with them. Therefore, the present comprehensive assessment addresses the main issues and concerns regarding DW standards and implementation thereof. Emphasis is placed on identifying the inherent deficiencies of standards (due to neglect of potential toxic contaminants and to debatable specifications/limit values) and regulations for their implementation and the monitoring of DW quality (due to weaknesses of available analytical/measurement techniques and inadequacies of tools and protocols). Rather serious deficiencies on these aspects are evident regarding the main categories of contaminants, i.e., synthetic chemicals and biological species. In regard to addressing these issues, progress made in recent years at the scientific/technical level and the main challenges are outlined toward the goal of an improvement in standards and their implementation.

scholarly journals Waterborne disease outbreak detection: an integrated approach using health administrative databases

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Coly ◽  
N. Vincent ◽  
E. Vaissiere ◽  
M. Charras-Garrido ◽  
A. Gallay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Detection Method ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Outbreak Detection ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Waterborne Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreak Detection

Hundreds of waterborne disease outbreaks (WBDO) of acute gastroenteritis (AGI) due to contaminated tap water are reported in developed countries each year. Such outbreaks are probably under-detected. The aim of our study was to develop an integrated approach to detect and study clusters of AGI in geographical areas with homogeneous exposure to drinking water. Data for the number of AGI cases are available at the municipality level while exposure to tap water depends on drinking water networks (DWN). These two geographical units do not systematically overlap. This study proposed to develop an algorithm which would match the most relevant grouping of municipalities with a specific DWN, in order that tap water exposure can be taken into account when investigating future disease outbreaks. A space-time detection method was applied to the grouping of municipalities. Seven hundred and fourteen new geographical areas (groupings of municipalities) were obtained compared with the 1,310 municipalities and the 1,706 DWN. Eleven potential WBDO were identified in these groupings of municipalities. For ten of them, additional environmental investigations identified at least one event that could have caused microbiological contamination of DWN in the days previous to the occurrence of a reported WBDO.

scholarly journals Potential health risk assessment related to arsenic pollution and hydrogeochemistry of groundwaters in Akşehir and surroundings (Konya/Turkey)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simge Varol
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Health Risk Assessment ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Arsenic Concentration ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Arsenic In Groundwater

Abstract Groundwater is an important water resource used for drinking, domestic and agricultural activities in Akşehir and surroundings. However, intensive agricultural and human activities in the region adversely affect groundwater quality. In this study, 31 water samples were collected from wells. According to the Piper diagram, groundwater in the study area was in the Ca–Mg–HCO3 and Ca–HCO3 water facies. As a result, it is not appropriate to use groundwater as drinking water in the study area in terms of trace elements and pollutant analysis results of water samples compared to limit values determined by WHO and ITHASY drinking water guidelines. The arsenic concentration in groundwater was studied in detail. The origin and concentration of arsenic in groundwater is associated with agricultural activities and pesticides in the region. Accordingly, a health risk assessment was carried out for the use of groundwater in the study area as drinking water. The results for all samples analyzed indicate that the groundwater concerned was not suitable for drinking purposes because of arsenic concentrations which exceeded maximum acceptable levels.

scholarly journals A systematic review of waterborne disease burden methodologies from developed countries

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Murphy ◽  
K. D. M. Pintar ◽  
E. A. McBean ◽  
M. K. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
National Level ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Treatment Level ◽  
Waterborne Disease ◽  
True Incidence

The true incidence of endemic acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) attributable to drinking water in Canada is unknown. Using a systematic review framework, the literature was evaluated to identify methods used to attribute AGI to drinking water. Several strategies have been suggested or applied to quantify AGI attributable to drinking water at a national level. These vary from simple point estimates, to quantitative microbial risk assessment, to Monte Carlo simulations, which rely on assumptions and epidemiological data from the literature. Using two methods proposed by researchers in the USA, this paper compares the current approaches and key assumptions. Knowledge gaps are identified to inform future waterborne disease attribution estimates. To improve future estimates, there is a need for robust epidemiological studies that quantify the health risks associated with small, private water systems, groundwater systems and the influence of distribution system intrusions on risk. Quantification of the occurrence of enteric pathogens in water supplies, particularly for groundwater, is needed. In addition, there are unanswered questions regarding the susceptibility of vulnerable sub-populations to these pathogens and the influence of extreme weather events (precipitation) on AGI-related health risks. National centralized data to quantify the proportions of the population served by different water sources, by treatment level, source water quality, and the condition of the distribution system infrastructure, are needed.

Physico-chemical and Biological Properties of Groundwater Quality in Rural Settlement, Nadi, Fiji

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Roselyn Naidu ◽  
Lionel Joseph ◽  
Syed Sauban Ghani
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Drinking Water Quality ◽  
World Health ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Drinking Water Contamination ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Health Organization

The current study investigated drinking water quality of samples taken from Arolevu village, a locality situated in Nadi, Fiji. The groundwater samples were collected and subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical and biological analysis. The analysis for the drinking water sample was conducted seasonally, six times a year, that is, three for the dry season and three for the wet season. The results retrieved from the analysis were compared to its maximum contamination levels (MCLs) based on the health-based guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO standards were used as an attribute to determine the sources of contaminants likely to be present at the study site. A degradation trend in drinking water quality in the context of climate change may lead to potential health impacts. Hence, it is important to understand seasonal variations in drinking water quality. A proper understanding of the drinking water quality through seasonal water analysis for nitrate, nitrite, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chlorine content as well as its microbiological presence to reduce preventable risks such as using calculated amounts of fertilisers and upgrading the sewerage system to alleviate drinking water contamination is devised through this study.

PREVALENCE OF PREGNANCY AND ABORTION RATES AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN ALMATY

Vestnik ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
А.Б. Мукашева ◽  
М.Ш. Шарипова ◽  
Д.Н. Маханбеткулова ◽  
А.Б. Смажан
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Teenage Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
The Past ◽  
Health Complications ◽  
Republican Center

Актуальность. Беременность и аборты, которые отрицательно сказываются на репродуктивном здоровье и качестве жизни подростков, могут стать серьезной проблемой для репродуктивного потенциала следующего поколения. По мнению многих отечественных исследователей, аборт и ранняя беременность неблагоприятны для девочек-подростков, так как могут не только привести к потенциальным осложнениям для здоровья, но и вызвать серьезные психологические проблемы. Цель исследования. Определить частоту распространенности показателей подростковой беременности и абортов за 2016-2020 гг. по г. Алматы Результаты и обсуждение. По данным Республиканского центра электронного здравоохранения в Алматы, была проведена оценка распространенности беременности и абортов среди подростков за последние пять лет (2016-2020 гг.). Выводы. Анализ показателей беременности и абортов среди девочек-подростков 15-17 лет в Алматы за период 2016-2020 годов показал, что они имеют умеренную тенденцию к снижению. Хотя показатель беременностей в 2020 году составляет 5,8, он выше, чем в развитых странах, таких как Япония и Южная Корея. Pregnancy and abortion, which negatively affect the reproductive health and quality of life of adolescents, can be a serious problem for the reproductive potential of the next generation. According to many domestic researchers, abortion and early pregnancy are unfavorable for adolescent girls, as they can not only lead to potential health complications, but also cause serious psychological problems. Purpose of the study. To determine the frequency of prevalence rates of teenage pregnancy and abortion for 2016-2020. in Almaty Results and discussion. According to the Republican Center for eHealth in Almaty, an assessment was made of the prevalence of pregnancy and abortion among adolescents over the past five years (2016-2020). Findings. Analysis of pregnancy and abortion rates among adolescent girls aged 15-17 years in Almaty for the period 2016-2020 showed that they have a moderate downward trend. Although the pregnancy rate in 2020 is 5.8, it is higher than in developed countries such as Japan and South Korea.

Pollution potential of oil-contaminated soil on groundwater resources in Kuwait

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 259-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Literathy ◽  
M. Quinn ◽  
M. Al-Rashed
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Fluorescence Measurement ◽  
Groundwater Aquifer ◽  
Freshwater Resource

The only natural freshwater resource of Kuwait occurs as lenses floating on the saline groundwater in the northern part of the country, near to the oil fields. Rainwater is the only means of recharge of this limited groundwater resource. This groundwater is used as bottled drinking water and the fresh groundwater aquifer is considered as a strategic drinking water reserve for Kuwait. As a result of the 1991 Gulf War, the upper soil layer has been widely contaminated with crude oil and crude oil combustion products, which are potential pollutants likely affecting the groundwater resources. Significant efforts have been made to assess this pollution. These included: (a) a soil survey for assessing the soil contamination, and (b) leaching experiments to characterise the mobilization of the soil-associated pollutants. Fluorescence measurement techniques were used during field surveys as well as for laboratory testing. In addition, determination of the total extractable matter (TEM), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and GC/MS measurement of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were performed for the assessments. The laser induced fluorescence (LIF) measurement, having good correlation with the other laboratory measurements, was proved to provide necessary information for the assessment of the oil-contamination level in the desert soil. The subsequent leaching test with water demonstrated the mobilization of the fluorescing compounds (e.g. PAHs), and the alteration in the leaching characteristics of the contamination during the long-term environmental weathering of the oil.

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms in a drinking water reservoir - causes, consequences and management strategy

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tarczyńska ◽  
Z. Romanowska-Duda ◽  
T. Jurczak ◽  
M. Zalewski
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cyanobacterial Bloom ◽  
Water Reservoir ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Cyanobacterial Blooms ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
North East ◽  
Drinking Water Reservoir ◽  
Lowland Reservoirs

Eutrophication of reservoirs used for drinking water supplies is a very common problem, particularly in lowland reservoirs. Long water retention time (60-120 days) favours cyanobacterial bloom occurrence in Sulejów Reservoir, Poland. The localisation of the water intake in a bay exposed to north-east winds favoured the Microcystis bloom accumulation, which formed a 0.5 m thick dense scum for the first time in September 1999. Cyanobacterial hepatotoxins can pose a potential health problem because the presence of about 0.8 μg/l microcystins was detected in drinking water during three series of analysis. An investigation of the efficiency of each stage of water treatment processes in the elimination of microcystins showed that pre-chlorination, coagulation, and rapid sand filtration were ineffective in removing microcystins from water. Significant elimination was observed after ozonation and chlorination. The concentration of microcystins in bloom material was between 12 to 860 μg/g dry weight of phytoplankton biomass. Management strategies for reservoirs should consider the important role of ecohydrological processes, which are often very easy to regulate, and which can be useful for bio-manipulation of the water ecosystem.

scholarly journals Potential of Passive Sampling and Plant Absorption to Quantify Inhalation Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Veerapas Na Roi-et ◽  
◽  
Supawat Chaikasem ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Inhalation Exposure ◽  
Hazard Index ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Exposure Limits ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Volatile Organic

Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from photocopiers was investigated to assess the potential health impacts on inhalation exposure to VOCs. VOCs samples were collected during working hours using SKC VOCs 575 series passive sample. Twenty-one quantified VOCs were measured and analyzed by GC-MS/MS. The results showed that the total VOCs concentration emitted in the photocopy centers A and B were 2.29×104 and 2.32×104 µg/m3, respectively. The highest detected chemical was trans-1,2-Dichloroethene at about 2.18×104 (photocopy center A) and 2.15×104 µg/m3 (photocopy center B (The results reveal that the non-carcinogenic risk for inhalation exposure to m-Xylene, p-Xylene, and trans-1,2-Dichloroethene were in the range 0.94-1.53 and 1.19-1.79 and 51.54-52.23, respectively, resulting in the hazard index (HI) of non-carcinogenic VOCs in total being greater than 1.0. This indicated that the cumulative effects of inhalation exposure to VOCs at low concentrations should be of concern, even though it does not exceed the occupational exposure limits and Threshold Limit Values-Time Weighted Average for the mixtures (TLV-TWAmix). Plants display a greener solution to reduce indoor air pollution. The bio-concentration levels of total VOCs in Epipremnum aureum were noted as 74.71 to 174.42, signifying that E. aureum is effective for removal of VOCs naturally and sustainably.

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