-
Animal : An International Journal of... Jan 2023The first study aimed to evaluate the effect of drinking water disinfection (chlorination: NaClO 15%) and conditioning (acidification: HPO diluted 1:5 in water) on water...
The first study aimed to evaluate the effect of drinking water disinfection (chlorination: NaClO 15%) and conditioning (acidification: HPO diluted 1:5 in water) on water quality, water and feed consumption, apparent total tract digestibility, and its potential hazardous effects on Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets. Twenty-four animals (221 ± 20.9 kg of BW, and 184 ± 9.9 days of age) were individually assigned to one of four treatments according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: conditioning (with or without acidification) and disinfection (with or without chlorination). The entire study lasted 210 days. Physicochemical and microbiological water quality, water and feed consumption, haematological and biochemical blood parameters, and apparent total tract digestibility were measured; data were analysed via a mixed-effects model. Chlorination and acidification increased (P = 0.02) free residual chlorine in water, and chlorination reduced (P = 0.01) total coliform and Clostridium perfringens counts in water. Treatment did not affect water consumption, total DM intake, or blood parameters. At the beginning of the study, NDF digestibility decreased (P = 0.04) with acidification, however, this was restored at the end of the study. The second study evaluated the potential benefit of drinking water chlorination and acidification on the performance of crossbred Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets under commercial conditions. Ninety-six animals (322 ± 35.0 kg of BW, and 220 ± 14.2 days of age) were allocated into six pens assigned to one of the two treatments: untreated drinking water or drinking water treated with chlorination and acidification for a total of 112 days. Physicochemical and microbiological water quality, water and concentrate consumption, eating behaviour, growth performance, and carcass quality were analysed via a mixed-effects model. Water conditioning and disinfection increased (P = 0.01) free residual chlorine concentration and reduced (P = 0.04) total coliform count in water. Although water consumption and eating behaviour were similar between treatments, water conditioning and disinfection increased average daily weight gain (P = 0.03), BW before slaughter (P = 0.01), and hot carcass weight (P = 0.01). In conclusion, drinking water chlorination and acidification in fattening dairy beef bulls is recommended as it improves growth performance without any detrimental side effects on health or nutrient digestibility.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Male; Animal Feed; Drinking Water; Water Quality; Halogenation; Chlorine; Digestion; Diet; Rumen
PubMed: 36542913
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100685 -
PloS One 2022Evidence-based public health policy often comes years or decades after the underlying scientific breakthrough. The World Health Organization's (WHO's) provisional 10...
Evidence-based public health policy often comes years or decades after the underlying scientific breakthrough. The World Health Organization's (WHO's) provisional 10 μg/L arsenic (As) drinking water guideline was set in 1993 based on "analytical achievability." In 2011, an additional proviso of "treatment performance" was added; a health-based risk assessment would lead to a lower and more protective guideline. Since the WHO does not require United Nations member states to submit copies of national drinking water regulations, there is no complete database of national drinking water standards or guidelines. In this study, we collated and analyzed all drinking water regulations for As from national governments worldwide. We found regulations for 176 countries. Of these countries, 136 have drinking water regulations that specify 10 μg/L As or less, while 40 have regulations that allow more than 10 μg/L of As; we could not find any evidence of regulations for 19 countries. The number of people living in countries that do not meet the WHO's guideline constitutes 32% of the global population. Global As regulations are also strongly tied to national income, with high income countries more likely to meet the WHO's guideline. In this study, we examined the health risk assessments that show a clear need for reducing As exposure to levels far below the current WHO provisional guideline. We also show that advances in analytical chemistry, drinking water treatment, and the possibility of accessing alternative drinking water supplies without As suggest that both low-income countries with limited resources and high-income countries with adequate resources can adopt a lower and more protective national drinking water standards or guidelines for As. Thus, we recommend that regulators and stake holders of all nations reassess the possibilities for improving public health and reducing health care expenses by adopting more stringent regulations for As in drinking water.
Topics: Arsenic; Drinking Water; Humans; Public Health; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Supply
PubMed: 35385526
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263505 -
Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban =... Sep 2021Along with the economic and technological development and growing demand for high-quality drinking water, direct drinking water has gained general popularity in China.... (Review)
Review
Along with the economic and technological development and growing demand for high-quality drinking water, direct drinking water has gained general popularity in China. However, no authoritative policy has been issued, giving a clear definition of direct drinking water and existing standards and regulations concerning direct drinking water are not definitive in nature. Existing water quality parameters are not well supported and sometimes even contradict each other. We elaborated, in this paper, the history of direct drinking water in China and systematically reviewed the existing regulations and standards related to direct drinking water. We also compared and analyzed the important microbiology, toxicology, sensory perception and general chemistry parameters in the standards. This paper is the first ever attempt at an in-depth analysis of the chaotic state of the direct drinking water industry. We have also highlighted the problems in the current standards and regulations for direct drinking water. Our study provides a basis for market regulation and the supervision and management of direct drinking water. In addition, the paper provides helpful information for laying down a definition of direct drinking water, calling for and approving of project proposals concerning the establishment of national standards for direct drinking water, and actually formulating the standards. We have made a number of suggestions: A. defining direct drinking water clearly and formulating the national standards for direct drinking water as soon as possible; B. conducting research on water quality benchmarks to provide scientific support for the formulation of the national standards for direct drinking water; C. giving more attention to the formulation of standards concerning microbiology parameters and their limits and giving consideration to the inclusion of parameters concerning viruses.
Topics: China; Drinking Water; Sanitation; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Quality
PubMed: 34622584
DOI: 10.12182/20210660101 -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2021Geogenic arsenic contamination typically occurs in groundwater as opposed to surface water supplies. Groundwater is a major source for many community water systems...
Geogenic arsenic contamination typically occurs in groundwater as opposed to surface water supplies. Groundwater is a major source for many community water systems (CWSs) in the United States (US). Although the US Environmental Protection Agency sets the maximum contaminant level (MCL enforceable since 2006: 10 μg/L) for arsenic in CWSs, private wells are not federally regulated. We evaluated county-level associations between modeled values of the probability of private well arsenic exceeding 10 μg/L and CWS arsenic concentrations for 2231 counties in the conterminous US, using time invariant private well arsenic estimates and CWS arsenic estimates for two time periods. Nationwide, county-level CWS arsenic concentrations increased by 8.4 μg/L per 100% increase in the probability of private well arsenic exceeding 10 μg/L for 2006-2008 (the initial compliance monitoring period after MCL implementation), and by 7.3 μg/L for 2009-2011 (the second monitoring period following MCL implementation) (1.1 μg/L mean decline over time). Regional differences in this temporal decline suggest that interventions to implement the MCL were more pronounced in regions served primarily by groundwater. The strong association between private well and CWS arsenic in Rural, American Indian, and Semi Urban, Hispanic counties suggests that future research and regulatory support are needed to reduce water arsenic exposures in these vulnerable subpopulations. This comparison of arsenic exposure values from major private and public drinking water sources nationwide is critical to future assessments of drinking water arsenic exposure and health outcomes.
Topics: Arsenic; Drinking Water; Environmental Monitoring; Groundwater; United States; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Supply; Water Wells
PubMed: 33991916
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147555 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023The human body is mostly made up of water. The largest proportion of the human body is water, hence the growing interest of specialists in defining the importance of...
The human body is mostly made up of water. The largest proportion of the human body is water, hence the growing interest of specialists in defining the importance of water in the body and the risks of dehydration. This study determined the physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the drinking water distributed in the public network in the area of operation of Water Distribution Operator in Mureș County and samples of bottled water existing on the market in Mureş County (mineral, spring or table). The water supplied to the network can be safely consumed. This is demonstrated both by the results of the analyses of the physico-chemical and microbiological parameters related to the legislative standards and by the values of the similar parameters analyzed for the bottled water.
Topics: Humans; Drinking Water; Romania; Water Supply; Reference Standards
PubMed: 36673869
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021115 -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2021Drinking water provision has been a constant challenge in the Sahrawi refugee camps, located in the desert near Tindouf (Algeria). The drinking water supply system is...
Drinking water provision has been a constant challenge in the Sahrawi refugee camps, located in the desert near Tindouf (Algeria). The drinking water supply system is itself divided in three zones which pump groundwater from different deep aquifers. It is equipped with reverse osmosis plants and chlorination systems for treating water. The allocation of water supplied to the Saharawi refugees for human consumption in 2016 has been estimated at between 14 and 17 L/person/day on average. This supplied water volume is below recommended standards, and also below the strategic objective of the Sahrawi government (20 L/person/day). Yet the local groundwater resources are huge in comparison with estimated consumption, and hence there is great potential for increasing the supplied volume through effecting improvements in the supply system. The physico-chemical quality of the raw and supplied water between 2006 and 2016 has been assessed according to Algerian standards for human consumption. The raw water of two zones of the supply system presents a very high conductivity and high concentrations of chloride, nitrate, fluoride, sulfate, sodium, calcium, potassium and iodide concentrations of natural origin, which may entail health risks. The treatment of water in a reverse osmosis plant greatly improves its quality and osmosed water met the standards. However, the supply of osmosed and raw water needs to be combined in Zone 1, to avoid an excessive reduction in water volume, and the supplied raw water poses a risk to the health of the refugees. The present study provides an example of a drinking water supply system under extreme drought conditions and in the political and social conditions of a refugee camp. Furthermore, it establishes a reference for supplied water allocation and quality in the Sahrawi refugee camps.
Topics: Algeria; Drinking Water; Humans; Refugee Camps; Refugees; Water Supply
PubMed: 34030293
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146504 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Oct 2022Chemical and microbiological drinking water contaminants pose risks to child health but are not often evaluated concurrently. At two consecutive visits to 96 households...
Chemical and microbiological drinking water contaminants pose risks to child health but are not often evaluated concurrently. At two consecutive visits to 96 households in Piura, Peru, we collected drinking water samples, administered health and exposure questionnaires, and collected infant stool samples. Standard methods were used to quantify heavy metals/metalloids, pesticides, and Escherichia coli concentrations in water samples. Stool samples were assayed for bacterial, viral, and parasitic enteropathogens. The primary drinking water source was indoor piped water for 70 of 96 households (73%); 36 households (38%) stored drinking water from the primary source in containers in the home. We found high prevalence of chemical and microbiological contaminants in household drinking water samples: arsenic was detected in 50% of 96 samples, ≥ 1 pesticide was detected in 65% of 92 samples, and E. coli was detected in 37% of 319 samples. Drinking water samples that had been stored in containers had higher odds of E. coli detection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.50; 95% CI: 2.04-9.95) and pesticide detection (OR: 6.55; 95% CI: 2.05-21.0) compared with samples collected directly from a tap. Most infants (68%) had ≥ 1 enteropathogen detected in their stool. Higher odds of enteropathogen infection at the second visit were observed among infants from households where pesticides were detected in drinking water at the first visit (aOR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.13-7.61). Results show concurrent risks of exposure to microbiological and chemical contaminants in drinking water in a low-income setting, despite high access to piped drinking water.
Topics: Arsenic; Birth Cohort; Child; Drinking Water; Escherichia coli; Humans; Infant; Metals, Heavy; Peru; Pesticides; Prevalence; Water Supply
PubMed: 35970283
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0098 -
PloS One 2021Despite the often emphasized importance of water awareness, and notwithstanding the fact that calls for increasing public awareness are becoming commonplace, most...
Despite the often emphasized importance of water awareness, and notwithstanding the fact that calls for increasing public awareness are becoming commonplace, most studies do not define the concept, let alone operationalise it into measurable units. This is, however, essential to measure and evaluate efforts related to water awareness such as public campaigns, customer communication and behavioural interventions. To address this gap, we conceptualise, operationalise and assess tap water awareness, hereby differentiating between cognitive awareness (head), affectional awareness (heart), and behavioural awareness (hands). In parallel, we also differentiate between tap water quality, quantity and system. By building on a variety of contemporary conceptual insights in literature and a series of expert interviews, an assessment framework is developed. A cohesive set of nine awareness components are identified and operationalised into a set of tangible questions which are put to the test in a large-scale online survey (n = 1003) in the Netherlands, applying both a traditional and modern segmentation approach based on four types of perspectives ('quality & health concerned', 'aware & committed', 'egalitarian & solidary', and 'down to earth & confident'). Based on the analysis of the results of the first empirical application of our tap water awareness assessment framework, we conclude that-with a score 53.5 points out of 100-tap water awareness in the Netherlands shows ample room for improvement. Interestingly, most significant variations in awareness are generally not related to sociodemographic factors but rather apply to the four customer perspectives on drinking water that are based on people's subjective views and preferences.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Attitude; Awareness; Drinking Water; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Water Quality
PubMed: 34714870
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259233 -
Preventing Chronic Disease Dec 2020Recent legislation requires public and charter schools in California to test drinking water for lead. Our objective was to describe 1) results from this testing program...
INTRODUCTION
Recent legislation requires public and charter schools in California to test drinking water for lead. Our objective was to describe 1) results from this testing program in the context of other available water safety data and 2) factors related to schools and water utilities associated with access to safe drinking water in schools.
METHODS
Our study focused on a random sample of 240 California public and charter schools. We used multivariable logistic regression, accounting for clustering of tested water sources in schools, to examine school-level factors associated with failure to meet lead-testing deadlines and any history of water utility noncompliance.
RESULTS
Of the 240 schools, the majority (n = 174) tested drinking water for lead. Of the schools tested, 3% (n = 6) had at least 1 sample that exceeded 15 parts per billion (ppb) (California action level) and 16% (n = 28) exceeded 5 ppb (bottled water standard). Suburban schools had lower odds of being served by noncompliant water systems (OR = 0.17; CI, 0.05-0.64; P = .009) than city schools. Compared with city schools, rural schools had the highest odds of not participating in the water testing program for lead (OR = 3.43; CI, 1.46-8.05; P = .005). Hallways and common spaces and food services areas were the most frequent school locations tested; one-third of all locations sampled could not be identified.
CONCLUSION
In our study, geography influenced access to safe drinking water in schools, including both water utility safety standards and school lead-testing practices. Considerations for improving the implementation of state lead-testing programs include establishing priority locations for sampling, precisely labeling samples, and developing well-defined testing and reporting protocols.
Topics: California; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drinking Water; Female; Health Policy; Humans; Lead Poisoning; Male; Schools; Students
PubMed: 33416472
DOI: 10.5888/pcd17.200366 -
BMC Oral Health Aug 2023Systemic fluoride intake is predominantly derived from drinking water and tea. It's been noted that water and tea containing fluoride, within the boundaries set by the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Systemic fluoride intake is predominantly derived from drinking water and tea. It's been noted that water and tea containing fluoride, within the boundaries set by the World Health Organization, can lessen the prevalence of dental caries. A review of the literature did not uncover any study that has examined the impact of fluoride in bottled drinking water and tea on enamel of deciduous and permanent teeth. Thus, we assessed the effects of fluoride present in seven different brands of bottled water from distinct geographical regions of Turkey, and a type of tea produced and packaged in Turkey, on the enamel of deciduous and permanent teeth.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fluoride analysis was performed on drinking water sourced from seven different regions of Turkey and a brand of tea brewed with these waters. The tea was harvested and packaged in Turkey. The analysis was conducted using an ion-selective electrode. In total, 112 tooth enamel samples (56 deciduous molars and 56 permanent molars) were randomly divided into eight distinct groups. These were kept in water for 15 min and tea for 15 min every day for a month. The eighth group was treated with fluoride gel prior to tea and water applications. The amount of fluoride in the tooth enamel structure was evaluated using an SEM EDX device before and after the experiment.
RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were found in fluoride content of enamel between water brands and tooth type (deciduous and permanent teeth). Fluoride levels were higher in the enamel of deciduous teeth than in permanent teeth.
CONCLUSION
Regular exposure of enamel samples to black tea and water led to an increase in fluoride levels in the enamel; thus, regular consumption of black tea and fluoride water could help reduce the prevalence of dental caries.
Topics: Humans; Fluorides; Drinking Water; Dental Caries; Tooth, Deciduous; Dental Enamel; Tea
PubMed: 37574537
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03267-6