Nitrate - was an indicator on sanitary quality for drinking water. Basing on foreign documents and results in the own country researches, this paper introduced some discussions on the concentration of nitrate in drinking water as a sanitary standard.
Sanitary Engineering ; water ; Nitrates

Objectives. This study aimed to describe baseline and follow-up prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, nutritional status and school performance of school-age children in Cebu City. By measuring these parameters, it also aimed to monitor the progress of a local government unit-led, school-based, schoolteacher-assisted deworming initiative. Methods. Grade three and grade four pupils from two selected school districts in Cebu City were chosen as participants. Kato-Katz technique was used to assess helminth infections. All positive slides and 10% of all negative slides were re-examined blindly by a reference microscopist for quality control. Secondary anthropometric and school performance data were also obtained from the Department of Education. Results. Baseline results showed cumulative prevalence and prevalence of heavy intensity infection of 73.1% and 44.3%, respectively, which were significantly lower during follow-up at 56.5% (p < 0.0001) and 26.5% (p < 0.0001), respectively. School performance improved in District B, with an 8.8% increase in mean percentage score from baseline to follow-up. There was no marked difference between baseline and follow-up proportions of pupils with below normal weight-for-age and height-for-age. Conclusions. The positive results merit continuation of the school-based STH control initiative in Cebu City. Improvements in water supply and sanitation, promotion of good hygiene and health education are important in minimizing risks of infection and re-infection.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Child ; INTESTINAL HELMINTHIASIS ; ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH ; PUBLIC HEALTH ; SANITATION ; SANITARY ENGINEERING ; WATER SUPPLY

Aim: The aim of this study was to monitor the restricted water systems during the period of COVID-19 lockdown for the waterborne pathogen Legionella pneumophila. Selected water systems were monitored to evaluate the effect of stagnation in terms of Legionella colonization. Methodology and results: A total of 160 water samples were taken from buildings which were temporarily shut down or had restricted usage between April-December 2020. None of the sampling points had Legionella positive history in the last three years. All water samples were tested using classic microbiological culture as the gold standard and rapid Vermicon ScanVIT Legionella test kit combined with epifluorescence microscopy. Sixteen (10%) out of 160 water samples were recorded as Legionella-positive by both methods, where none of them was positive before the COVID-19 lockdown. All positives were tested as L. pneumophila serogroup 1 with latex agglutination kit. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Colonization of Legionella in stagnant water systems occurs rapidly. Before reopening, routine monitoring in buildings is extremely important especially under restricted use or closure is in case. Flushing, disinfecting and testing are crucial for minimizing the health risks for the public health.
Legionella ; Sanitary Engineering ; COVID-19 ; Waterborne Diseases ; Legionnaires' ; Disease

In a paleo-parasitological analysis of soil samples obtained from V-shaped pits dating to the ancient Baekje period in Korean history, we discovered Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Clonorchis sinensis eggs. In light of the samples' seriously contaminated state, the V-shaped pits might have served as toilets, cesspits, or dung heaps. For a long period of time, researchers scouring archaeological sites in Korea have had difficulties locating such structures. In this context then, the present report is unique because similar kind of the ancient ruins must become an ideal resource for successful sampling in our forthcoming paleoparasitological studies.
Animals ; *Archaeology ; Helminths/classification/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Ovum/*classification ; Parasitology ; Republic of Korea ; *Sanitary Engineering ; Soil/*parasitology

We examined community-level characteristics associated with free drinking water access policies in U.S. municipalities using data from a nationally representative survey of city managers/officials from 2,029 local governments in 2014. Outcomes were 4 free drinking water access policies. Explanatory measures were population size, rural/urban status, census region, poverty prevalence, education, and racial/ethnic composition. We used multivariable logistic regression to test differences and presented only significant findings. Many (56.3%) local governments had at least one community plan with a written objective to provide free drinking water in outdoor areas; municipalities in the Northeast and South regions and municipalities with ≤ 50% of non-Hispanic whites were less likely and municipalities with larger population size were more likely to have a plan. About 59% had polices/budget provisions for free drinking water in parks/outdoor recreation areas; municipalities in the Northeast and South regions were less likely and municipalities with larger population size were more likely to have it. Only 9.3% provided development incentives for placing drinking fountains in outdoor, publicly accessible areas; municipalities with larger population size were more likely to have it. Only 7.7% had a municipal plumbing code with a drinking fountain standard that differed from the statewide plumbing code; municipalities with a lower proportion of non-Hispanic whites were more likely to have it. In conclusion, over half of municipalities had written plans or a provision for providing free drinking water in parks, but providing development incentives or having a local plumbing code provision were rare.
Censuses ; Drinking Water* ; Drinking* ; Education ; Logistic Models ; Motivation ; Population Density ; Poverty ; Prevalence ; Recreation ; Sanitary Engineering

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if the collection, treatment and final disposal of hospital hazardous wastes conform to the rules and regulations and standards set by the Philippine Government and the World Health Organization (WHO).
METHODS: Three private and three government tertiary hospitals located in South Manila were randomly chosen and the companies that provides them with hospital waste disposal services were asked to participate in the study to validate their conformity to the national and international hazardous waste disposal standards. Validation was done through the use of observer checklists and photographs.
RESULTS: Results of the study showed that there were four companies who services 6 selected hospitals included in the study. All of these conformed to the standards of the World Health Organization, and to rules and regulations as set by the Philippine government. All of the companies conformed as to standards for Legal Permits, Off-site Transport, Personal Protective Devices and Off-Site Waste Disposal.
CONCLUSION: All of the companies servicing the 6 selected hospitals conformed to the standards set by WHO and the Philippine government.

Checklist ; Government ; Hazardous Waste ; Philippines ; Protective Devices ; Refuse Disposal ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Waste Disposal Facilities

Environmental Monitoring ; Groundwater ; Refuse Disposal ; Soil ; Waste Disposal Facilities ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous organisms that are generally found not only in the natural environment but also in the human engineered environment, including water, soil, and dust. These organisms can form biofilms and can be readily aerosolized because they are hydrophobic owing to the presence of the lipid-rich outer membrane. Aerosolization and subsequent inhalation were the major route of NTM lung disease. Water distribution systems and household plumbing are ideal habit for NTM and the main transmission route from natural water to household. NTM have been isolated from drinking water, faucets, pipelines, and water tanks. Studies that used genotyping have shown that NTM isolates from patients are identical to those in the environment, that is, from shower water, showerheads, tap water, and gardening soil. Humans are likely to be exposed to NTM in their homes through simple and daily activities, such as drinking, showering, or gardening. In addition to environmental factors, host factors play an important role in the development of NTM lung disease. The incidence and prevalence of NTM lung disease are increasing worldwide, and this disease is rapidly becoming a major public health problem. NTM lung disease is associated with substantially impaired quality of life, increased morbidity and mortality, and high medical costs. A more comprehensive understanding of the infection source and epidemiology of NTM is essential for the development of new strategies that can prevent and control NTM infection.
Agriculture ; Biofilms ; Drinking ; Drinking Water ; Dust ; Epidemiology ; Family Characteristics ; Gardening ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inhalation ; Lung Diseases ; Lung ; Membranes ; Mortality ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Quality of Life ; Sanitary Engineering ; Soil ; Water

OBJECTIVEIt aims to investigate the changes in composition and structure of bacterial communities developing on biological activated carbon (BAC) particles, and the bacterial functions.

METHODA pilot plant had been in service for 180 days, aiming to develop bacterial communities on activated carbon naturally. After 180 days of operation, the bacterial communities were determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analyses of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes. The study on community composition and the phylogenetic relationships of the organisms was complemented by a sequence analysis of cloned PCR products from 16S rRNA genes. Gas chromatography-mass (GC-MS) measurement was used to determine organic chemical composition of inflow and outflow water on the 300th day. TOC and NH(4)(+)-N were also tested in this experiment.

RESULTSIt showed that the stable bacterial structure did not develop on BAC particles until the 9th month during running time of the BAC filter. The communities were finally dominated by Pseudomonas sp., Ba-cillus sp., Nitrospira sp., and an uncultured bacterium. Stable bacterial communities played an important role in removal of NH(4)(+)-N and total organic carbon (TOC). Results from gas chromatography-mass (GC-MS) showed that 36 kinds of chemicals in feed water were eliminated, and concentrations of 5 kinds of chemicals decreased. These chemicals served as nutrients for the dominant bacteria.

CONCLUSIONThe findings from the study suggested that the stability of microbial structure was beneficial for improving NH(4)(+)-N and TOC removal efficiencies. The dominant bacteria had the advantage of biode-grading a wide range of organic chemicals and NH(4)(+)-N.

Ammonia ; chemistry ; Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; Biofilms ; Carbon ; chemistry ; Filtration ; instrumentation ; methods ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Pilot Projects ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Water Microbiology ; Water Purification ; instrumentation ; methods ; Water Supply ; standards

Worldwide, several regions suffer from water scarcity and contamination. The infiltration and subsurface storage of rain and river water can reduce water stress. Artificial groundwater recharge, possibly combined with bank filtration, plant purification and/or the use of subsurface dams and artificial aquifers, is especially advantageous in areas where layers of gravel and sand exist below the earth's surface. Artificial infiltration of surface water into the uppermost aquifer has qualitative and quantitative advantages. The contamination of infiltrated river water will be reduced by natural attenuation. Clay minerals, iron hydroxide and humic matter as well as microorganisms located in the subsurface have high decontamination capacities. By this, a final water treatment, if necessary, becomes much easier and cheaper. The quantitative effect concerns the seasonally changing river discharge that influences the possibility of water extraction for drinking water purposes. Such changes can be equalised by seasonally adapted infiltration/extraction of water in/out of the aquifer according to the river discharge and the water need. This method enables a continuous water supply over the whole year. Generally, artificially recharged groundwater is better protected against pollution than surface water, and the delimitation of water protection zones makes it even more save.
Filtration ; Fresh Water ; analysis ; Water Purification ; instrumentation ; methods ; Water Supply