Modelling microbial health risk of wastewater reuse: A systems perspective. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beaudequin, Denise; Harden, Fiona; Roiko, Anne; Stratton, Helen; Lemckert, Charles; Mengersen, Kerrie
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 84(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 131
• Page End: 141
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: CAMRA Center for Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment -- DALYs Disability-Adjusted Life Years -- EPA-QLD Environmental Protection Agency Queensland -- FAO-WHO FAO-WHO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization -- HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome -- IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- NRC National Research Council -- NRMMC-EPHC-AHMC Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council Environment Protection and Heritage Council and Australian Health and Medical Council -- QMRA Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment -- US EPA-USDA/FSIS United States Environmental Protection Authority, United States Department of Agriculture/Food Safety and Inspection Service -- WHO World Health Organisation; Complex systems -- Conceptual model -- Health risk assessment -- Quantitative microbial risk assessment -- Waste stabilisation pond -- Water recycling; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: There is a widespread need for the use of quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to determine reclaimed water quality for specific uses, however neither faecal indicator levels nor pathogen concentrations alone are adequate for assessing exposure health risk. The aim of this study was to build a conceptual model representing factors contributing to the microbiological health risks of reusing water treated in maturation ponds. This paper describes the development of an unparameterised model that provides a visual representation of theoretical constructs and variables of interest. Information was collected from the peer-reviewed literature and through consultation with experts from regulatory authorities and academic disciplines. In this paper we explore how, considering microbial risk as a modular system, following the QMRA framework enables incorporation of the many factors influencing human exposure and dose response, to better characterise likely human health impacts. By using and expanding upon the QMRA framework we deliver new insights into this important field of environmental exposures. We present a conceptual model of health risk of microbial exposure which can be used for maturation ponds and, more importantly, as a generic tool to assess health risk in diverse wastewater reuse scenarios. Graphical abstract: Highlights: We present a new model of microbial risk related to wastewater reuse. Influences on pathogen density, exposure pathway and dose–response are explored. Model provides a generic tool to assess health risk in diverse water use scenarios.