Concentrations Of Thermotolerant Coliforms Research Articles

Detection of thermotolerant coliforms and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in sewage and recreational waters in the Ecuadorian coast: A call for improving water quality regulation.

Wastewater surveillance represents an alternative approach to regulating contamination and the early detection of infectious agents and outbreaks of diseases of public health importance. This study evaluated domestic wastewater effects on recreational waters in estuarine and seawater bodies in Guayas and Santa Elena provinces in Ecuador, South America. Fecal indicator bacteria (thermotolerant coliforms) served as key indicators for evaluation. Physical, chemical, and microbiological quality markers following the Ecuadorian environmental quality standard and the discharge of effluents to the water resource were analyzed. Samples were collected from 44 coastal sites and 2 oxidation lagoons during the dry and rainy seasons of 2020 and 2021, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in samples with higher E. coli concentrations using reverse transcription quantitative PCR to detect the genes N and ORF1ab. All samples analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 showed Ct ˂ 40 for at least one gene. Four samples showed at least 20 genome copies of gene N per reaction. These were at an artisanal fishing port, an estuarine area (Palmar), a recreational bay, and an oxidation lagoon. A moderate correlation was found between SARS-CoV-2 RNA, thermotolerant coliform and E. coli (p-value ≤ 0.0037), and a strong and positive correlation between thermotolerant coliform and E. coli. (p-value ≤ 0.00001), highlighting the utility of these established parameters as a proxy of the virus. Significant differences were found in the concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms between seasons (p-value = 0.016) and sites (p-value = 0.005). The highest levels of coliforms were found in the dry season (63000 MPN/100 mL) in Anconcito and during the rainy season (14000 MPN/100 mL) at Esterillo in Playas County. It is recommended that the decentralized autonomous governments of the surveyed provinces in Ecuador implement urgent corrective actions and establish medium-term mechanisms to minimize a potential contamination route. Additional parameters must be included in the monitoring, such as Enterococcus and intestinal parasites, due to their public health implications. In the oxidation lagoons, maintenance actions must be carried out, including the dissolution of sediments, an increase in water retention times, and in situ treatment of the sludge, to improve the system's performance.

Effects of urbanization on the diversity of testate amoebae (Protist, Rhizopoda) in a stream of the southwestern Amazon basin (Igarapé São Francisco in Acre state, Brazil)

We investigated the diversity of testate amoebae in an urban stream located within the Igarapé São Francisco Environmental Protection Area in Acre, northern Brazil, during the dry season, and evaluated the factors mediating the structure of this protist community. We collected 108 water samples for the analysis of the testate amoeba community and the limnological variables at six sampling points on the stream, between July and September 2018. We used a Redundancy Analysis (RDA) to verify the influence of environmental variables on the protist community. We recorded 76 species of testate amoebae from eight families, with most records from the families Difflugiidae, Arcellidae, Centropydae and Netzeliidae. More than half (49) of the species were recorded in Acre for the first time. The abundance of the amoebae of the family Trigonopiridae was regulated by the dissolved oxygen concentrations and the pH, while that of the Netzeliidae, Dif-flugiidae and Lesquereusidae was influenced by the pH, chloride concentrations, and the depth and transparency of the water. In the case of the family Arcellidae, abundance was determined by the turbidity and transparency of the water and the nitrate concentrations, while that of Centropyxis sp. was associated with the concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms. These findings indicate that, while the São Francisco stream is subject to anthropogenic impacts, it still presents adequate conditions for these organisms in some of its stretches. The abundance of these amoebae was influenced primarily by the productivity of the system, as indicated by the high protist densities recorded in the areas in which primary productivity was highest. These findings support the use of these protists in studies that investigate the most appropriate indicator organisms that respond to anthropogenic impacts and shifts in environmental quality.The results of the present study demonstrated the importance of this aquatic ecosystem for the biodiversity of the study area, and the need to further expand our knowledge on the adaptations and interactions of the aquatic communities of the Amazon region.

Vegan Ice Cream Made from Soy Extract, Soy Kefir and Jaboticaba Peel: Antioxidant Capacity and Sensory Profile.

Considering the need for functional foods and the use of by-products of the food industry, a potentially functional ice cream was developed, using soy extract, soy kefir and dehydrated jaboticaba peel. Five ice creams were produced using soy kefir (K) and soy extract (S): (1) GS—100% S; (2) GK1-75% S/25% K; (3) GK2-50% S/50% K; (4) GK3-25% S/75% K and (5) GK-100% K; The products were evaluated by physicochemical, microbiological and sensory (check all that apply) analyses. The addition of kefir was found to increase the acidity of the products. The concentrations of total phenolic compounds in the formulations with kefir were approximately ten times higher than the GS formulation. All products presented concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms <3 NMP/g and absence of Salmonella ssp. The viability of Lactobacillus ssp., Streptococcus spp. and Bifidobacterium ssp. was higher than 10 log CFU/g during the whole storage period. The GS and GK1 formulations had the lowest scores, while GK ice cream was preferred. The formulations showed distinct sensory profiles in the CATA, and the ice cream with 100% kefir was associated with desirable attributes. The ice creams exhibited microbiological and sensory characteristics that meet the expectations of the product’s target audience.

Increased quality of small-scale organic compost with the addition of efficient microorganisms

Substantial quantities solid waste from livestock are potential sources of nutrients for agroecological production on small-scale farms. The processes used to extract these wastes, however, must be capable of eliminating pathogenic microorganisms. We aimed to evaluate composting and vermicomposting processes by inoculating efficient microorganisms at the field scale. We used cattle and sheep manure with the inoculation of efficient microorganisms (EMs) at concentrations of 0, 2, and 4 mL L-1. In vermicomposting experiments, we added Lumbricus rubellus. After the maturation and stabilization phases of the compounds, concentrations of macronutrients, micronutrients, heavy metals, thermotolerant coliforms and Salmonella spp. were measured. We found that composting processes allowed high availability of macronutrients. Vermicomposting, associated with inoculation with 2 mL L-1 EMs, promoted the lowest concentration of thermotolerant coliforms, ensuring greater elimination of pathogens. The compost produced allowed the valuation of waste and use it as a quality organic fertilizer for agroecological production.

Spatio-temporal changes in water quality in the Guarapiranga reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil): insights from a long-term monitoring data series.

The provision of drinking water in metropolises is a challenge that requires programs for continuous monitoring of water quality and processes that impact the land cover of the watershed. In this work, we investigated through multivariate statistical analysis the temporal and spatial trends of several variables, not yet explored in a data series that includes 42years (1978-2020) of monitoring in the hydrographic basin of the Guarapiranga reservoir, in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region-SPMR (Brazil). This reservoir is the source of drinking water for 3.8 million people and plays a strategic role in the social, environmental, and economic structure at SPMR. Our results point to the continuous degradation of water quality in the reservoir, although with different causes and spatio-temporal aspects. Between the 1970s and 1980s, variables associated with erosion/silting played a more critical role. From the 1990s, the introduction of N and P intensified, and the concentration of thermotolerant coliforms increased. The loss of quality is mainly associated with the progressive advance of urban settlements without planning combined with the inefficient initiatives to control domestic sewage pollution. If there is no rapid and comprehensive intervention, there is a risk that the Guarapiranga reservoir may become unsuitable for drinking water supply and other types of use in the future. This scenario will represent a critical obstacle to regional development and the quality of life of the population.

Effects of the lack of basic public sanitation on the water quality of the Caeté River estuary in northern Brazil

The present study investigated the evolution of the contamination of the estuary of the Caeté River by thermotolerant coliforms over the past decade. The hypothesis tested was that the conditions of the Caeté estuary have worsened over this period due to a combination of population growth and the lack of investment in public sanitation by the local authorities. Samples for hydrological and microbiological analysis were collected at eight sample points in 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2019. The upper sector of the estuary was represented by the samples from P1–P4. This sector is the most urbanized, and the most affected by human activities, with 100% of the samples collected presenting thermotolerant coliform concentrations of over 1,100 MPN 100 mL−1. Conditions were also considered to be “inappropriate” for human use in other areas at certain times of year. Despite being located within a protected area, the implementation of a public sanitation system, proposed in the master plan of the municipality of Bragança almost two decades ago, has yet to be initiated. Compared with the results of previous studies of the Caeté estuary, more than a decade ago, the contamination of the water has increased considerably. Based on the criteria of the current Brazilian legislation, all types of human use of the water are compromised, although socioeconomic activities continue as normal. This situation may eventually impact the health of the local population and affect economic activities. The conditions found in the Caeté estuary appear to be typical of other coastal Amazonian municipalities.

Cranberry (&lt;i&gt;Vaccinium macrocarpon&lt;/i&gt;) dietary supplementation and fecal microbiota of Wistar rats

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) dietary supplementation can help prevention of urinary tract infections through the supply of proanthocyanidin-type polyphenols (PAC). The main uropathogenic bacteria are members of the intestinal microbiota. A randomized cross-over experiment was done to investigate whether cranberry dietary supplementation affects concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms, Enterococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in rat faeces. Thirteen rats, housed in individual cages, received successively two diets as pellets during 7 days each: a standard diet without polyphenols and the standard diet supplemented with cranberry powder containing 10.9 mg/100 g of PAC. There was a 7 days wash-out period in between with standard diet without polyphenols. Body weight and feed intake were recorded. Faeces were collected on the last day of treatment, and crushed to count the different bacterial populations using the most probable number method. Thermotolerant coliforms were grown in BGBLB tubes and on MacConkey agar. Enterococcus spp. were grown in Rothe and Litsky broths and on KF Streptococcus agar. Lactobacillus spp. were grown in Man Rogosa Sharpe broth. Body mass gains were not affected by cranberry supplementation. This is consistent with equal food intake, cranberry powder not providing significant energy supplement. Cranberry dietary supplementation was associated with changes in fecal concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms, and Enterococcus spp. in some rats, but did not induce significant changes in bacterial fecal concentrations in a global population of 13 rats. In conclusion, we did not observe any significant effect of dietary cranberry supplementation on the fecal microbiota of Wistars rats for a 7-day diet.

Microbiological status of drinking water sources and its relationship with human health in Solan, India.

In Solan district, the developmental activities associated with chemical based farming, rapid urbanization, and rampant industrialization have led to many diarrhoeal, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis disease outbreaks. This has necessitated for microbiological assessment of indicator organisms, the thermotolerant coliforms, in drinking water sources, and their relationship with diarrhoeal disease. All the 49 Public Health Institutes (PHIs) of the district were categorized into very low, low, moderate, and high disease burden regions by stratification method. For drinking water, 55.5, 16.5, and 17% people preferred springs, borewells, and hand-pump respectively. These sources inventoried by Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice survey in one of very low and seven of high disease burden regions, and were analyzed by multiple tube fermentation technique. A cross-sectional survey of 200 children was undertaken for diarrhoeal disease estimation. Parwanoo, an industrial and Kurgal, a non industrial region witnessed highest (30.20) and lowest (4.40) Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 ml water of thermotolerant coliforms, respectively. Thermotolerant coliforms were also observed significantly more (16.77 MPN/100 ml water) in monsoon than in post monsoon season (9.04 MPN per 100 ml water). The thermotolerant coliform Escherichia coli was recovered from six and three water sources respectively during monsoon and post monsoon. A strong correlation (r = 0.78) existed between the diarrhoeal disease occurrence and the concentration of thermotolerant coliforms in monsoon whereas it was moderate (r = 0.61) in post monsoon. The study indicated more contamination of water sources due to industrial activities which further got aggravated during the rainy season of the region.

Disponibilidade e qualidade da água para irrigação no território indígena Rio Formoso, na transição cerrado/Amazônia, Mato Grosso-Brasil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar e qualificar a água para a irrigação nos mananciais da Terra Indígena Rio Formoso em Tangará da Serra, Mato Grosso – Brasil, no contexto de importante polo agrícola brasileiro. Delimitaram-se cinco bacias hidrográficas com cinco pontos de coleta e amostragens em 12 meses seguidos, a partir de agosto/2016. Foram avaliadas 15 variáveis: nitrogênio (N), fósforo (P), temperatura (T), turbidez (Tu), sólidos totais (ST), potássio (K+), cálcio (Ca2+), magnésio (Mg2+), cloretos (Cl-), bicarbonatos (HCO3-), condutividade elétrica (CE), potencial hidrogeniônico (pH), coliformes termotolerantes (C.T.), alcalinidade (Alc) e sódio (Na+) e calculada a razão de absorção de sódio (RAS) e a dureza (Du GHF). Os resultados revelaram risco nulo de salinização, toxidade e risco severo de sodificação. O potencial hidrogeniônico é baixo e a temperatura da água ficou acima de 25 ºC. A concentração de coliformes termotolerantes em três pontos prejudica o cultivo de folhosas que são consumidas cruas. As desconformidades encontradas indicam que o uso da água deve ser feito com acompanhamento técnico especializado para evitar danos irreversíveis ao solo e equipamentos. Não há limitação de quantidade de água com vazão disponível outorgável de 1,884 m³ s-¹.

Análise microbiológica de frutas e hortaliças minimamente processadas comercializadas em supermercados da cidade de Macapá – Amapá

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade microbiológica, identificando a presença de Salmonella sp. e quantificando o número mais provável de coliformes termotolerantes a 45°C/g em frutas e hortaliças minimamente processadas. Foram realizadas três coletas de amostras de couve, abacaxi, melancia e cenoura minimamente processadas, totalizando 42 amostras, sendo 21 de frutas e 21 de hortaliças e raízes, escolhidas aleatoriamente de gôndolas refrigeradas de 07 supermercados na zona sul da cidade de Macapá e levadas até o laboratório de microbiologia do Instituto de Pesquisas Cientificas e Tecnológicas do Estado do Amapá – IEPA. Após avaliação, observou-se que das 21 amostras de frutas analisadas, 5 apresentaram resultados para coliformes termotolerantes acima do permitido pela legislação, que estabelece o valor máximo de 5x10² NMP/g. Das 9 amostras de hortaliças, 6 exibiram valores superiores ao estabelecidos pela legislação, que é de 10² NMP/g para hortaliças, e das 12 raízes analisadas, 9 encontravam-se acima do ideal para coliformes, que é 10³ NMP/g para raízes, tubérculos e similares. Todas as amostras apresentaram resultados ausentes para Salmonella sp., mostrando-se dentro dos padrões estabelecidos pela RDC. Foi possível concluir que as amostras de couve, abacaxi, melancia e cenoura minimamente processadas apresentaram maior concentração de coliformes termotolerantes do que os limites estabelecidos pela RDC n° 12, de 02 de janeiro de 2001, da ANVISA, indicando contaminações que comprometem a qualidade desses alimentos e colocam em risco a saúde do consumidor.

Surveillance of Enteric Viruses and Thermotolerant Coliforms in Surface Water and Bivalves from a Mangrove Estuary in Southeastern Brazil.

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological quality of a mangrove estuary in the Vitória Bay region, Espírito Santo, Brazil. We analyzed the presence and concentration of enteric viruses and thermotolerant coliforms in water, mussels (Mytella charruana and Mytella guyanensis), and oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae), collected over a 13-month period. Human adenovirus, rotavirus A (RVA), and norovirus genogroup II were analyzed by quantitative PCR. The highest viral load was found in RVA-positive samples with a concentration of 3.0 × 104genome copies (GC)L-1 in water samples and 1.3 × 105GCg-1 in bivalves. RVA was the most prevalent virus in all matrices. Thermotolerant coliforms were quantified as colony-forming units (CFU) by the membrane filtration method. The concentration of these bacteria in water was in accordance with the Brazilian standard for recreational waters (< 250CFU 100mL-1) during most of the monitoring period (12 out of 13months). However, thermotolerant coliform concentrations of 3.0, 3.1, and 2.6 log CFU 100g-1 were detected in M. charruana, M. guyanensis, and C. rhizophorae, respectively. The presence of human-specific viruses in water and bivalves reflects the strong anthropogenic impact on the mangrove and serves as an early warning of waterborne and foodborne disease outbreaks resulting from the consumption of shellfish and the practice of water recreational activities in the region.

BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM DAIRY CATTLE MANURE, UNDER ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the production of biogas, as well as the biogas production potential resulting from the anaerobic biodigestion of dairy cattle manure under organic (CMOS) and conventional (CMCS) production system. Also, the concentration of thermotolerant coliforms was evaluated after the biodigestion process. Therefore, bench biodigesters prototypes were supplied with CMOS and CMCS for 30 weeks. The experimental design was completely randomized with four repetitions for each treatment. Analysis of total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), biogas production potential, most probable number (MPN) of thermotolerant coliforms were made. The cumulative biogas production was 6.18 L and 11.15 L, when using the CMOS and CMCS, respectively. Average biogas production potential of CMCS were 0.2; 2.6 and 2.9 L kg-1 substrate, ST and SV added, respectively and for CMOS 0.1; 1.4 and 1.9 L kg-1substrate, ST and SV added, respectively. After the anaerobic biodigestion process of CMOS and CMCS, it was observed that the concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms were well below than the limit established by law.

Management challenges for a more decentralized treatment and reuse of domestic wastewater in metropolitan areas

Abstract In a case study located in suburban sectors of the metropolitan area of the Lerma Valley (Valle de Lerma), in the province of Salta (Argentina), 24 informal decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) were evaluated. The analyzed systems had three general configurations: A, septic tank; B, septic tank combined with upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor; C, septic tank combined with UASB and a final filtration step. Statistically significant differences (p &amp;lt; 0.05) were observed in effluent quality, measured as total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Treatment A was the most inefficient, and was statistically different from B and C; there were no significant differences between the latter two. Thermotolerant coliform concentrations were high in all analyzed systems and did not comply with local discharge standards in soakaway pits or in the ground. The lack of a final disinfection step in these systems is thus a weakness that needs to be addressed. The formal inclusion of DWWTS in urban planning could reduce overall investment costs, as long as the best technologies are selected for each case. Incorporation of DWWTS in formal urban planning requires an open debate in which the social perspectives of all relevant users need to be considered.

Thermotolerant coliform loadings to coastal areas of Santa Catarina (Brazil) evidence the effect of growing urbanisation and insufficient provision of sewerage infrastructure.

Thermotolerant coliform (TC) loadings were quantified for 49 catchments draining into the North and South Bays of Santa Catarina (SC, southeastern Brazil), an area known for its tourism and aquaculture. TC loadings were calculated based on flow measurements taken in 26 rivers. TC concentrations ere quantified based on surface water samples collected at 49 catchment outlets in 2012 and 2013. Median TC loads ranged from 3.7×103 to 6.8×108 MPNs-1. TC loadings in the catchments increased in proportion to increases in resident human population, population density and percentage of urbanised area. Catchments with more than 60% of area covered by wastewater collection and treatment systems had higher TC loads per person than catchments with less than 25%. Based on the study catchments, these results indicate that current sewerage infrastructure is ineffective in reducing contamination of faecal origin to surface waters. These findings have important implications for the management of microbiological health hazards in bathing, recreational and shellfish aquaculture waters in the North and South Bays of Santa Catarina Island.

Estuarine Beaches of the Amazon coast: Environmental and Recreational Characterization

ABSTRACT Sousa, R.C.; Pereira, L.C.C., and Jimenez, J.A., 2016. Estuarine beaches of the Amazon coast: environmental and recreational characterization. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 705–709. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The Amazon coast is rich in natural resources, with highly valued natural landscapes and ecological systems. These environments include estuarine beaches, which are important areas for recreational activities. The present study provides an environmental and recreational diagnosis of three of these estuarine beaches on the Amazon coast (Colares, Maruda, and Murubira). The study was conducted in July, 2012, 2013 and 2015. An set of variables was assessed: (i) physical variables (hydrodynamics), (ii) microbiological variables (thermotolerant coliform concentrations), (iii) recreational actvities and (iv) ...

Natural and human controls of water quality of an Amazon estuary (Caeté-PA, Brazil)

Estuarine waters are usually eutrophic due to nutrients input derived from natural and anthropogenic sources. In the Caeté Estuary, nutrients and thermotolerant coliforms input is intensified by the absence of a public sanitation system and by mangrove outwelling. This input is more accentuated in the upper sector of the estuary where 90% of the local population is concentrated and a high incidence of commercial activities (public markets, ice factories and boat repairing among others) is located. As a consequence, eutrophic waters with high concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms (up to 1100 MPN/100 ml) were observed during the dry season when dilution and/or advection are less effective. Eutrophication, though less pronounced, also occurred in the other sectors (middle and lower), but these results seem to indicate that this could be a natural condition of an Amazon region which is naturally enriched with a high amount of nutrients. On the other hand, nutrient concentration values in the upper sector are similar to those found in other highly populated and industrialized Brazilian estuaries. Taking into account that the population increases by about 20% per decade in the region, this growth may lead to a significant increase in human pressure and impacts on the area, mainly during periods when the estuary is more susceptible to retaining nutrients (e.g., during the dry season). In order to improve water quality, the DPSIR framework was used as a guide for proposing potential measures to be implemented in the Caeté Estuary based on (i) urban planning to control sewage discharges, (ii) construction of water treatment infrastructures to reduce untreated effluents inputs and (iii) water use regulations as a function of the current water quality.

Avaliação Bacteriológica da Água Associada ao Cultivo de Mexilhões Perna Perna da Praia Rasa, Armação dos Búzios (RJ)

Aquaculture is the farming of organisms with life cycles that occur fully or partially on aquatic systems. The aim of this study was to monitor the concentrations of total and thermo-tolerant coliforms in water near mussels cultivation in Rasa Beach, Armacao dos Buzios (RJ). Sampling was performed between February 2014 and March 2015. There are statistically significant differences in thermo-tolerant coliform concentrations between the interior of the marina channel and the cultivation external point. Data suggest that the wastewater discharge channel contributes effectively to the contamination of the cultivation area with thermo-tolerant coliform.

Microbiological Evaluation of Household Drinking Water Treatment in Rural China Shows Benefits of Electric Kettles: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundIn rural China ~607 million people drink boiled water, yet little is known about prevailing household water treatment (HWT) methods or their effectiveness. Boiling, the most common HWT method globally, is microbiologically effective, but household air pollution (HAP) from burning solid fuels causes cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and black carbon emissions exacerbate climate change. Boiled water is also easily re-contaminated. Our study was designed to identify the HWT methods used in rural China and to evaluate their effectiveness.MethodsWe used a geographically stratified cross-sectional design in rural Guangxi Province to collect survey data from 450 households in the summer of 2013. Household drinking water samples were collected and assayed for Thermotolerant Coliforms (TTC), and physicochemical analyses were conducted for village drinking water sources. In the winter of 2013–2104, we surveyed 120 additional households and used remote sensors to corroborate self-reported boiling data.FindingsOur HWT prevalence estimates were: 27.1% boiling with electric kettles, 20.3% boiling with pots, 34.4% purchasing bottled water, and 18.2% drinking untreated water (for these analyses we treated bottled water as a HWT method). Households using electric kettles had the lowest concentrations of TTC (73% lower than households drinking untreated water). Multilevel mixed-effects regression analyses showed that electric kettles were associated with the largest Log10TTC reduction (-0.60, p<0.001), followed by bottled water (-0.45, p<0.001) and pots (-0.44, p<0.01). Compared to households drinking untreated water, electric kettle users also had the lowest risk of having TTC detected in their drinking water (risk ratio, RR = 0.49, 0.34–0.70, p<0.001), followed by bottled water users (RR = 0.70, 0.53–0.93, p<0.05) and households boiling with pots (RR = 0.74, 0.54–1.02, p = 0.06).ConclusionAs far as we are aware, this is the first HWT-focused study in China, and the first to quantify the comparative advantage of boiling with electric kettles over pots. Our results suggest that electric kettles could be used to rapidly expand safe drinking water access and reduce HAP exposure in rural China.

Avaliação de Coliformes Termotolerantes nas Águas do Sistema Vigário-Campelo-Cataia na Baixada Campista (RJ)

The study evaluates the concentration of thermotolerant coliforms in Vigario-Campelo-Cataia System, Baixada Campista, RJ, to contribute to the analysis of potential environmental impacts developed on this site. There were monitored seven points by collecting water samples between November 2013 and December 2014, bringing together six samples for each point. The results were satisfactory when analyzed according to the parameters set by CONAMA Resolution No. 357/2005, and it may be concluded that the atypical coliform levels presented may result from inadequate sanitation in neighborhoods like Parque Prazeres and lower rainfall at certain times.

Microbial and chemical contamination of water, sediment and soil in the Nakivubo wetland area in Kampala, Uganda.

The reuse of domestic and industrial wastewater in urban settings of the developing world may harm the health of people through direct contact or via contaminated urban agricultural products and drinking water. We assessed chemical and microbial pollutants in 23 sentinel sites along the wastewater and faecal sludge management and reuse chain of Kampala, Uganda. Water samples were examined for bacteria (thermotolerant coliforms (TTCs), Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp.) and helminth eggs. Physico-chemical parameters were determined. Water, sediment and soil samples and edible plants (yams and sugar cane) were tested for heavy metals. Water samples derived from the Nakivubo wetland showed mean concentrations of TTCs of 2.9 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU)/100 mL. Mean E. coli was 9.9 × 104 CFU/100 mL. Hookworm eggs were found in 13.5 % of the water samples. Mean concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) were 21.5, 3.3 and 0.14 mg/L, respectively. In soil samples, we found a mean lead (Pb) concentration of 132.7 mg/L. In yams, concentrations of Cd, chromium (Cr) and Pb were 4.4, 4.0 and 0.2 mg/L, while the respective concentrations in sugar cane were 8.4, 4.3 and 0.2 mg/L. TTCs and E. coli in the water, Pb in soil, and Cd, Cr and Pb in the plants were above national thresholds. We conclude that there is considerable environmental pollution in the Nakivubo wetland and the Lake Victoria ecosystem in Kampala. Our findings have important public health implications, and we suggest that a system of sentinel surveillance is being implemented that, in turn, can guide adequate responses.