Children’s Exposure Factors and Risk Perception of Sanitation Challenges Along the U.S.–Mexico Border

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the rural U.S.–Mexico border towns, transboundary sanitary sewage overflows (SSOs) are of concern. The high concentrations of pathogens present in SSOs poses a threat to the shared ecosystem and communities’ health and well-being. Concerns related to an SSO effluent situated adjacent to a school in Naco, Arizona led to an academic-government-school partnership to assess children’s exposure factors, environment and health related risk perceptions, and risk communication preferences. A survey administered to school staff (n = 9) and parents (n = 31) observed a lower hand/object-to-mouth behavior for children ages 4–6 compared to values in the literature, and the need to further assess exposure factors for children over six. While there was a general negative risk perception to SSOs, approximately half of respondents did not have/were not sure of any SSO-related events. Using the Bioregion/One Health and cross-border governance frameworks, this study highlights the governing barriers that exist during SSO events and underscores the need for community participation, effective intervention, and risk communication strategies.