scholarly journals Unsafe tap water in households supplied from groundwater in the Salento Region of Southern Italy

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Costantino Masciopinto ◽  
Rosanna La Mantia ◽  
Annalaura Carducci ◽  
Beatrice Casini ◽  
Agata Calvario ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Fractured Aquifer ◽  
Somatic Coliphages ◽  
Complete Inactivation ◽  
Groundwater Samples ◽  
Viral Indicators

Although the fractured aquifer of the Salento supplies over 80% of the drinking water requirements of the local population, its exposure to pollution has recently increased. In recent years, owing to the arid climate and droughts, the spreading of wastewater on soil for irrigation has become much more frequent. Consequently, hazardous and pathogenic microorganisms released with wastewater have been transported into the subsoil and have contaminated groundwater. An elaboration of epidemiological data has shown that the local population has the highest exposure to endemic gastroenteritis in Italy. In order to reduce human exposure to unsafe groundwater, the setback distance for drinking wells necessary to achieve the ‘natural disinfectionߣ criteria, has been determined experimentally at the Nardò aquifer (Salento region), supported by groundwater monitoring results and a mathematical transport model able to determine the apparent pathogenic microorganism pathways in fractures. The results also provided valuable inactivation constants of cultural indicators (coliforms, enterococci, Clostridium spores and somatic coliphages) and viruses in the wastewater that have been injected into the fractured aquifer since 1991. Furthermore, the efficacy of chlorine to remove viral indicators from water in a well 500 m from wastewater injection was tested. Hypochlorination reduces somatic coliphages and Clostridium spores in groundwaters but did not achieve complete inactivation in all tests. Complete disinfection of groundwater samples was possible only when there was an initial Clostridium spores count of ≤10 CFU 100 ml-1.

A Comparison of Hand Washing Techniques To Remove Escherichia coli and Caliciviruses under Natural or Artificial Fingernails

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 2296-2301 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHIA-MIN LIN ◽  
FONE-MAO WU ◽  
HOI-KYUNG KIM ◽  
MICHAEL P. DOYLE ◽  
BARRY S. MICHAELS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Microbial Populations ◽  
Liquid Soap ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Hand Sanitizer ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Escherichia Coli Jm109 ◽  
Viral Indicators

Compared with other parts of the hand, the area beneath fingernails harbors the most microorganisms and is most difficult to clean. Artificial fingernails, which are usually long and polished, reportedly harbor higher microbial populations than natural nails. Hence, the efficacy of different hand washing methods for removing microbes from natural and artificial fingernails was evaluated. Strains of nonpathogenic Escherichia coli JM109 and feline calicivirus (FCV) strain F9 were used as bacterial and viral indicators, respectively. Volunteers with artificial or natural nails were artificially contaminated with ground beef containing E. coli JM109 or artificial feces containing FCV. Volunteers washed their hands with tap water, regular liquid soap, antibacterial liquid soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel, regular liquid soap followed by alcohol gel, or regular liquid soap plus a nailbrush. The greatest reduction of inoculated microbial populations was obtained by washing with liquid soap plus a nailbrush, and the least reduction was obtained by rubbing hands with alcohol gel. Lower but not significantly different (P > 0.05) reductions of E. coli and FCV counts were obtained from beneath artificial than from natural fingernails. However, significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher E. coli and FCV counts were recovered from hands with artificial nails than from natural nails before and after hand washing. In addition, microbial cell numbers were correlated with fingernail length, with greater numbers beneath fingernails with longer nails. These results indicate that best practices for fingernail sanitation of food handlers are to maintain short fingernails and scrub fingernails with soap and a nailbrush when washing hands.

scholarly journals Tetracycline Residues in Bovine Muscle and Liver Samples from Sicily (Southern Italy) by LC-MS/MS Method: A Six-Year Study

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaetano Cammilleri ◽  
Andrea Pulvirenti ◽  
Antonio Vella ◽  
Andrea Macaluso ◽  
Gianluigi Lo Dico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Bovine Liver ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Good Recovery ◽  
Bovine Muscle ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Tetracycline Residues ◽  
First Time

We examined a total of 369 bovine liver and muscle samples for the detection of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC), and doxycycline (DOX) residues by implementation and validation of a LC-MS/MS method. The method showed good recovery values between 86% and 92% at three levels of concentrations. The linearity tests revealed r2 > 0.996 for all the tetracyclines examined. Furthermore, the Youden test revealed that the method was robust. Only 14.4% of the samples showed OTC and TC residues in a concentration range of 10.4–40.2 µg kg−1. No CTC and DOX residues were found in all the samples analyzed. Liver samples showed the highest average values (31.5 ± 20.6 and 21.8 ± 18.9 for OTC and TC, respectively). The results showed a low incidence of TCs in all the samples examined, in comparison with other studies reported in the literature. A significant decrease in TC residues frequency was found from 2013 (p < 0.05). This work reports for the first time epidemiological data on the presence of TC residues in liver and muscle samples of cattle farmed in Sicily (Southern Italy). The very low incidence of TC residues indicates a continuous improvement in farming techniques in Southern Italy, which is essential to ensure consumers’ protection.

scholarly journals Arsenic Removal from Peruvian Drinking Water by Milk Protein Nanofibril-Carbon Filters: A Field Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreenath Bolisetty ◽  
Akram Rahimi ◽  
Raffaele Mezzenga
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Arsenic Removal ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Local Population ◽  
World Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Tap Water Quality ◽  
Health Organization

Tap water quality in Peru fails to meet the world health organization (WHO) drinking water standards; consequently, the local population in Peru has been exposed over the last years to...

scholarly journals Ocorrência de enteroparasitoses em crianças cadastradas em uma obra social

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (52) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Rubenício Izidro Da Silva Júnior ◽  
Lucas Pedrosa Souto Maior ◽  
Jessé Marques Da Silva Júnior Pavão ◽  
Kamila Marques Da Silva ◽  
Claudia Maria Lins Calheiros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ascaris Lumbricoides ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Network ◽  
The Public ◽  
Sanitary Conditions

<p>Intestinal parasitoses are a serious public health problem, especially in underdeveloped countries, and this problem is associated and aggravated by poor sanitary conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the parasitological characteristics of children and family members registered in a social work. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to December 2018. The feces were collected in sterile vials, the exams were performed using the spontaneous sedimentation and Baermann-Moraes methods. The species detected were Giardia lamblia, Endolimax nana, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiuria and Schistosoma mansoni. The most frequent parasite was Endolimax nana (25.64%), while among the helminths, with 15.44% Ascaris lumbricoides was the most frequent. Regarding epidemiological data, the source of supply water corresponded to 97.91% of households connected (consumers) to the public supply network, ie source of treated source. As for drinking water, 44.44% of households used tap water (from the public network) and another part of families (33.33%) consumed mineral water at home, only 5.56% of households drank well water artesian. Consequently, the importance of health education programs to prevent parasitic infections is highlighted.</p>

Removal of fecal coliforms, somatic coliphages and F-specific bacteriophages in a stabilization pond and reservoir system in arid regions

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Alcalde ◽  
G. Oron ◽  
L. Gillerman ◽  
M. Salgot ◽  
Y. Manor
Keyword(s):  
Treatment System ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Somatic Coliphages ◽  
Stabilization Pond ◽  
Reservoir System ◽  
Viral Indicators ◽  
One Year ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
The City

The contents of FC, somatic coliphages and F-specific bacteriophages were measured in the stabilization pond and stabilization reservoir system of the City of Arad (Israel) in order to determine the efficiency of the treatment process regarding the microorganisms removal. Monitoring was conducted close to one year. Physical and chemical parameters (temperature, pH, BOD5, COD, SS) were also analyzed with the aim of finding factors that affect the microorganisms removal. The field results prove a very good performance of this treatment system. FC, somatic coliphages and F-specific bacteriophages were removed between 4.16 and 5.76 log units, during winter and in between 6.02 and 6.47 log units during summer. The microbial quality of the final effluent complies with the WHO guidelines for unrestricted irrigation. The results also indicate that retention time and temperature seem to be the most important factors for microorganisms removal. F-specific bacteriophages were removed at higher rates than FC and somatic coliphages. Consequently, it is suggested that F-specific bacteriophages might be less adequate viral indicators for this treatment system.

Epidemiological study of swimming-associated illnesses relating to bathing-beach water quality

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. W. Kueh ◽  
T.-Y. Tam ◽  
T. Lee ◽  
S. L. Wong ◽  
O. L. Lloyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Epidemiological Study ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Total Incidence ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Quality Objective ◽  
Beach Water Quality ◽  
Beach Water

The water quality objective or indicator of bathing beaches is established on the basis of epidemiological data of swimming-related illnesses in the local population. It needs to be updated and refined in light of changes in the composition, health status and recreational activities of the community. A major epidemiological study was conducted in Hong Kong in 1992 involving interviewing 25000 beach-goers on the health effects of exposure to bathing water. The results indicated that the total incidence of swimming-related illness symptoms was 41 per 1000, higher than the 30 per 1000 found in 1987. Eye, skin and respiratory symptoms were 2-20 times more prevalent in swimmers than in non-swimmers. Only gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were directly related to the pollution level and bacterial content of beach water. Turbidity of beach water was closely linked with GI and highly credible GI symptoms and might be used as a monitoring tool and a parameter in the beach water quality objective. There was also a direct correlation between GI symptoms and the number of Clostridium perfringens, Aeromonas spp., Vibrio cholerae (non-O1) in beach water. No direct relationship between GI symptoms and E. coli or faecal coliforms could be identified in this study.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of Monitoring Surveys of the Quarantine Bacterium Xylella Fastidiosa Performed in Containment and Buffer Areas of Apulia, Southern Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Scortichini ◽  
Gianluigi Cesari
Keyword(s):  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Detection Techniques ◽  
Olive Trees

Introduction: Xylella fastidiosa is a quarantine phytopathogen for the European Plant Protection Organization and currently infects olive trees in the Apulia region (southern Italy). Upon the Implementing Decision of the European Union 2016/764 of May 12, 2016, extensive monitoring surveys were performed on approximately 190 000 ha to ascertain the possible occurrence of X. fastidiosa. Objectives: The primary objectives of the analysis were to start to collect epidemiological data on X. fastidiosa occurrence in areas far from the initial outbreaks and discuss the results of the pathogen detection. Methods: A total of 220 279 olive trees were inspected. Basic information on farm and trees management was obtained. A total of 13 706 olive trees were analyzed through serological and molecular techniques to verify the possible occurrence of the bacterium. Results: The cultivars “Nociara,” “Cima di Melfi,” and “Cellina di Nardò” showed the highest occurrence of decline symptoms. Tree age appears to be related to the incidence of decline symptoms. Olive trees growing in well-managed soils showed fewer symptoms than trees cultivated in farms where such agronomic techniques are not regularly performed. X. fastidiosa was detected in 2078 samples taken from symptomatic trees and 1653 samples obtained from asymptomatic trees. In 3300 samples taken from symptomatic trees, the bacterium was not detected. Conclusions: Implementation and utilization of reliable in situ detection techniques could increase the number of sampled trees in each plot, thus allowing a more extensive and robust assessment of X. fastidiosa–infected plants in areas where the pathogen inoculums are still low.

scholarly journals Investigations into Pb isotope signatures in groundwater and sediments in a uranium-mineralized area

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Mônica Dalla Vecchia ◽  
Paulo César Horta Rodrigues ◽  
Francisco Javier Rios ◽  
Ana Claudia Queiroz Ladeira
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Sampling Point ◽  
Uranium Deposits ◽  
Pb Isotope ◽  
Groundwater Samples ◽  
Uranium Industry

ABSTRACT: This work presents the investigation in an environment that contains uranium deposits by using Pb isotope signatures. The study area, southeast of Brazil, is characterized by the lack of surface water and, as a consequence, the groundwater plays an important role in the economy of the region, such as the supply to the uranium industry and, above all serving the needs of the local population. The objective of the present investigation is the determination of the signatures of Pb in groundwater and sediments as well as the identification of environments under influences of geogenic and/or anthropogenic sources. It was determined that the Pb in the majority of sediments was geogenic in origin. Although data from the literature, related to the environmental studies, consider 206Pb/207Pb isotopic ratio values below or close to 1.2 as an indicative of anthropogenic Pb, the 206Pb/ 207Pb determined for the majority of groundwater samples ranged from 1.14 to 1.19, and are similar to the data reported for rocks samples (1.09 to 1.96) from area with U mineralization. It was also determined that the anthropogenic influence of the uranium was restricted to a single sampling point within the mining area.

scholarly journals Rotavirus contamination of surface waters from the northwest of Argentina

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-415
Author(s):  
Verónica Emilse Prez ◽  
Hugo Ramiro Poma ◽  
Georgina Gisela Giordano ◽  
Matías Victoria ◽  
Silvia Viviana Nates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Fecal Pollution ◽  
Group A Rotavirus ◽  
Group A ◽  
Viral Indicators ◽  
Northern City

Abstract Fecal pollution of water is a serious concern because it is associated with the transmission of pathogens. The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of group A rotavirus (RVA) in surface waters from the Arias–Arenales River in Salta, a northern city in Argentina, and to define possible sources of fecal viral pollution. A total of 116 water samples were analyzed and RVA was detected in 3.4% (95% CI: 0.1–7.0%), with concentrations ranging from 1.9 × 105 to 3.8 × 106 genome copies per liter. RVA strains were characterized as G1P[8], G4P[8] and G9P[8], which are common genotypes circulating in the local population. The Arias–Arenales River presented unusual and sporadic contamination by RVA, originated from stormwater discharges and a variety of non-identified sources, and support the essential need of viral indicators for enhanced monitoring of water quality.

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