Household Contamination Research Articles

How Do Curbside Feedback Tactics Impact Households’ Recycling Performance? Evidence From Community Programs

Much of the responsibility for advancing the circular economy has been directed towards firms, yet many reuse opportunities can only be achieved through environmentally compliant, household-level recycling behaviors. In response, policymakers and recycling organizations are using a range of feedback mechanisms to promote household recycling that meets local quality standards. However, the effectiveness of these tactics remains unclear, and stakeholders are divided on the appropriateness of their use. In this research, we examine the role of two popular feedback mechanisms—information-only and information-plus-penalty—in correcting households’ curbside recycling behaviors. With information-only feedback, households are provided with best practices for recycling and are not penalized for their errors. With information-plus-penalty feedback, households also receive information, but temporarily forfeit their recycling services. While previous studies have explored the use of information and penalties as feedback mechanisms to guide behavioral changes, there is mixed evidence of their effectiveness, particularly in the recycling context. We address this research gap by analyzing unique data collected from a 2019 curbside auditing effort that occurred in a large, Mid-Western city. Our analysis leverages econometric methods, and recycling feedback and performance data from 25,359 audits across 11,899 households and 15 recycling routes. We find that information-only feedback mechanisms, while preferred by some stakeholders, are not associated with improvements in recycling quality (measured using household contamination rates). By contrast, our results indicate that punitive mechanisms (i.e., information-plus-penalty) involving cart refusals are associated with significant reductions in contamination rates: that is, households that receive punitive feedback reduce their contamination rate severity by 59%, and are 75% less likely to commit a violation in the future. More importantly, we do not find evidence that punitive feedback mechanisms generally discourage households’ participation in recycling programs (measured using future set out rates). Our study informs sustainable operations management literature by investigating how curbside feedback mechanisms, with differing levels of severity, influence critical dimensions of households’ recycling performance (i.e., recycling quality and participation). We also inform policymakers on how curbside feedback mechanisms can be more effectively leveraged to enhance opportunities for material reuse.

Implementation of a Comprehensive Eco-Riparian Concept to Landscape Design of Water Source Area in Macari Village, Batu City

The eco-riparian concept application on the riverside is one of the programs of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. The water source in Macari Village is one of the suppliers of raw water discharge in the Brantas watershed. Residential and industrial areas currently surround Macari Village Water sources, so it decreases the water quality, and pollution is often found due to industrial and household waste contamination. This research aims to find comprehensive eco-riparian concept design solutions to conserve water resources. By using a combined methodology between case studies and literature reviews, comprehensive eco-reparation design criteria were found, such as wetland restoration by using the terraced pond, vegetation management of the water bodies, ground covers, cliff retaining, aesthetic support vegetation, wastewater management, and drainage plans so it will not pollute the water sources. The development to support the area's vision is manifested in architectural design with ecological and historical characteristics. This design criteria is translated into a holistic visualization of the area to produce a coherent, functional, and aesthetic design. With the design result, all regional development visions are expected to be realized at the location.

Prevalence of Salmonella in Eggs from Conventional and Cage-Free Egg Production Systems and the Role of Consumers in Reducing Household Contamination.

Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne disease worldwide, usually related to contaminated poultry or poultry products, such as eggs. Since egg contamination with Salmonella depends on multiple factors that make it challenging to control, consumers' knowledge about food safety and the proper handling of eggs is crucial. The aims of the study were (1) to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in eggs from conventional and alternative production systems, (2) to characterize the Salmonella isolates according to phenotypic-genotypic and antimicrobial-resistant traits, and (3) to understand how consumers manage the hazards related to egg contamination in the household. A total of 426 egg samples were analyzed (conventional systems = 240; alternative systems = 186). Culture-based and molecular microbiological methods were used to identify Salmonella and bioinformatics analysis of whole genome sequences was used to determine the serotype and antimicrobial-resistant genes. Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis was detected only in eggs from alternative systems (1.1%, 2/186). Isolates showed resistance to nalidixic acid (100%, 2/2), and the aac(6')-Iaa gene and a mutation in the gyrA gene were identified in both isolates. Overall, consumers demonstrated knowledge regarding food safety; however, many still engage in practices that pose a risk of acquiring foodborne illnesses.

Characterizing the long-term occurrence and anthropogenic drivers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water of the Rhine River

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) raise significant concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity to both ecosystems and human health. However, the long-term trends of PFAS in aquatic environments remain inadequately explored. In this study, we systematically assessed the spatiotemporal distribution, periodic fluctuations, source apportionment, and risk evaluation of 12 PFAS in the Rhine River based on the long-term measuring data collected from 2007 to 2019. The study revealed that the mean concentration and mass flux of total PFAS during this period were 32.83 ng L−1 and 6.36 × 104 μg s−1, declining at an annual rate of 3.70% and 3.82%, respectively. Wavelet analysis demonstrated that the most prominent periodic oscillation of PFAS was 40–60 months. Regarding the sources of PFAS, we employed the self-organizing map (SOM) and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model for source apportionment. The results indicated that the primary sources of PFAS were agrochemical, pharmaceutical and textile industries, accounting for 38.1% of the total concentration. The contribution from household contamination, tannery industry, and coating materials has increased annually. In contrast, the share of electrochemical fluorination and chemical recycling has shown a continuous decline. The risk quotient (RQ) and hazard quotient (HQ) calculations for three age groups indicated that PFAS exposure did not pose a significant risk to ecological or human health. Implementing source-oriented mitigation strategies is crucial to effectively reduce the ecological and human health risks of PFAS in receiving waters.

SARS-CoV-2 testing, infection and places of contamination in France, a national cross-sectional study, December 2021

BackgroundThis study aimed to describe the use of diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 in France until December 2021, the characteristics of people infected, and places of contamination.MethodsData were collected from the national 2021 Health Barometer cross-sectional study, which was conducted between February and December 2021 and included French-speaking individuals aged 18–85 years old selected through randomly generated landline and mobile phone numbers. Participants were interviewed about COVID-19-like symptoms in the previous 12 months, diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2, positive diagnosis for SARS-CoV-2, and the place(s) of contamination. Determinants of diagnostic testing and of infection were studied using univariate and multivariate Poisson regressions.ResultsA total of 24,514 persons participated in the study. We estimated that 66.4% [65.0-67.7] of persons had been tested for SARS-CoV-2 the last time they experienced COVID-19-like symptoms, and that 9.8% [9.3–10.3] of the population in France - with or without symptoms - had been tested positive. Diagnostic testing was less frequent in men, unemployed persons, and people living alone; it was also less frequent during the first months of the pandemic. The estimated proportion of the population infected was higher in healthcare professionals (PRa: 1.5 [1.3–1.7]), those living in large cities ( > = 200 000 inhabitants, and Paris area) (1.4 [1.2–1.6]), and in households comprising > 3 persons (1.7 [1.5-2.0]). It was lower in retired persons (0.8 [0.6–0.97]) and those over 65 years old (0.6 [0.4–0.9]). Almost two-thirds (65.7%) of infected persons declared they knew where they were contaminated; 5.8% [4.5–7.4] reported being contaminated outdoors, 47.9% [44.8–51.0] in unventilated indoor environments, and 43.4% [40.3–46.6] in ventilated indoor environments. Specifically, 51.1% [48.0-54.2] declared they were contaminated at home or in a family of friend’s house, 29.1% [26.4–31.9] at their workplace, 13.9% [11.9–16.1] in a healthcare structure, and 9.0% [7.4–10.8] in a public eating place (e.g., cafeteria, bar, restaurant).ConclusionsTo limit viral spread, preventive actions should preferentially target persons tested least frequently and those at a higher risk of infection. They should also target contamination in households, healthcare structures, and public eating places. Importantly, contamination is most frequent in places where prevention measures are most difficult to implement.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy hair analysis after household contamination.

Trace evidence found at crime scenes is rarely in an unsullied condition. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a modern analytical technique that can be used for the detection of artificial hair colourants (S. Higgins and D. Kurouski, Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Enables Highly Accurate Identification of Different Brands, Types and Colors of Hair Dyes, Talanta, 2022, 251, 123762). However, contaminants pose a problem to collecting accurate spectra from the dyes. In this study, we sought to analyze how the different physical properties of contaminants can influence the collected spectra. We utilized 11 household substances of varying viscosity and opacity to contaminate hair dyed with permanent black or semi-permanent blue dyes. We discovered that contaminant opacity generally does not affect the spectral quality but that high contaminant viscosity does and that acidic substances could destroy the colourant's spectral identity altogether. Cleaning the contaminated hair with a water rinse allowed the underlying colourant to be identified in 21 out of 22 cases. Overall, this study provided a clearer understanding of the capabilities and limitations of SERS in forensic hair analysis.

Worldwide Surveillance Actions and Initiatives of Drinking Water Quality: A Scoping Review.

This study identified and mapped worldwide surveillance actions and initiatives of drinking water quality implemented by government agencies and public health services. The scoping review was conducted between July 2021 and August 2022 based on the Joanna Briggs Institute method. The search was performed in relevant databases and gray literature; 49 studies were retrieved. Quantitative variables were presented as absolute and relative frequencies, while qualitative variables were analyzed using the IRaMuTeQ software. The actions developed worldwide and their impacts and results generated four thematic classes: (1) assessment of coverage, accessibility, quantity, and drinking water quality in routine and emergency situations; (2) analysis of physical-chemical and microbiological parameters in public supply networks or alternative water supply solutions; (3) identification of household water contamination, communication, and education with the community; (4) and investigation of water-borne disease outbreaks. Preliminary results were shared with stakeholders to favor knowledge dissemination.

Edge-Computing Video Analytics Solution for Automated Plastic-Bag Contamination Detection: A Case from Remondis.

The increased global waste generation rates over the last few decades have made the waste management task a significant problem. One of the potential approaches adopted globally is to recycle a significant portion of generated waste. However, the contamination of recyclable waste has been a major problem in this context and causes almost 75% of recyclable waste to be unusable. For sustainable development, efficient management and recycling of waste are of huge importance. To reduce the waste contamination rates, conventionally, a manual bin-tagging approach is adopted; however, this is inefficient and requires huge labor effort. Within household waste contamination, plastic bags have been found to be one of the main contaminants. Towards automating the process of plastic-bag contamination detection, this paper proposes an edge-computing video analytics solution using the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) and computer vision technologies. The proposed system is based on the idea of capturing video of waste from the truck hopper, processing it using edge-computing hardware to detect plastic-bag contamination and storing the contamination-related information for further analysis. Faster R-CNN and You Only Look Once version 4 (YOLOv4) deep learning model variants are trained using the Remondis Contamination Dataset (RCD) developed from Remondis manual tagging historical records. The overall system was evaluated in terms of software and hardware performance using standard evaluation measures (i.e., training performance, testing performance, Frames Per Second (FPS), system usage, power consumption). From the detailed analysis, YOLOv4 with CSPDarkNet_tiny was identified as a suitable candidate with a Mean Average Precision (mAP) of 63% and FPS of 24.8 with NVIDIA Jetson TX2 hardware. The data collected from the deployment of edge-computing hardware on waste collection trucks was used to retrain the models and improved performance in terms of mAP, False Positives (FPs), False Negatives (FNs) and True Positives (TPs) was achieved for the retrained YOLOv4 with CSPDarkNet_tiny backbone model. A detailed cost analysis of the proposed system is also provided for stakeholders and policy makers.

Microbial Contamination of Groundwater Self‐Supply in Urban Indonesia: Assessment of Sanitary and Socio‐Economic Risk Factors

AbstractIn urban Indonesia, more than 40 million people rely on groundwater self‐supply, but the extent to which self‐supply delivers safe water and the associated risk factors for fecal contamination remain unclear. This study quantifiedEscherichia coli(E.coli) for 511 self‐supply sources and at point‐of‐use for 173 households in the Indonesian cities of Bekasi and Metro. A structured questionnaire collected information about the household, water sources, and potential contamination sources. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis examined risk factors for fecal contamination.E.coliwas detected in 66% of sources, including 55% of boreholes, 64% of protected dug wells, and 82% of unprotected dug wells. Widespread boiling of water meant microbial quality improved significantly between source and point‐of‐use, withE.colidetected in 30% of self‐supply samples at point‐of‐use. Unprotected dug wells were significantly more likely to be contaminated than boreholes. In Bekasi, the analysis found a significant association between presence ofE.coliand sanitation systems located within 10 m of the groundwater source. In Metro, poorer households had significantly higher odds of contamination than wealthier households. Other significant factors included shallower borehole depths in Bekasi, use of a rope and bucket, and absence of a concrete platform in Metro. In Bekasi,E.coliconcentration at source was significantly associated with water quality at point‐of‐use. Risk of fecal contamination could be reduced by supporting households to invest in improved protection, and by facilitating promotion for safe household water treatment. Support for self‐supply improvements should be weighed against the expansion and improvement of piped water services.

Diarrheagenic toxins in stool correlate to drinking water from improved water sources in Ethiopia

Escherichia coli toxins are the most common types found in association with disease in E. coli bacteria. They are found in nearly all pathogenic E. coli bacteria either released from the bacteria or E. coli cell or both transmitted via the orofecal route. The present study evaluated the relationship between E. coli toxins detected in ‘improved’ drinking water sources and toxins found in stool samples from individuals with diarrhea that consumed the water. Improved water is defined as the water source, by the nature of their construction or through active intervention, are protected from external contamination, particularly with fecal matter. A correlation between toxins in the water with toxins in the stools suggests that contaminated drinking water is a potential infection source. Stool samples were collected from people with diarrhea (248 stool samples) and their drinking water at their home (248 water samples). Only diarrhea patients that reported use of improved drinking water sources as per the definition of the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme were included in the study. E. coli isolates were analysed for 5 major toxins (enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1), heat-stable enterotoxin a (Sta); shiga-like toxin 1 (Stx1), shiga-like toxin 2 (Stx2), and heat-liable enterotoxin (LT)) using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square (χ2) test, Fisher's exact, logistic regression, and bivariate Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the association and correlation of toxins in the drinking water with those in the stool samples. Of the 248 households, 24% had positive results in both water and stool samples, 63% [Confidence Interval (CI): 55–67%] had positive results in water samples only and 46% [CI: 37- 49%] were found to be positive for toxins in stool samples only. EAST1 was the most frequently detected from the 5 toxins evaluated, with 33% in the water and 38% in the stool. ESAT1, Stx1, and LT toxins were the most commonly found contaminants in water from improved water sources. The prevalence of toxins in household water samples was higher than that obtained from yard connections (51%) and piped systems connected to public stands (42%), compared to the other types of water sources. Both a positive correlation (P < 0.05; r = 0.412) and statistically significant association (P=0.0001) was found between the toxins in the water and toxins in the stool. EAST1 in the stool was significantly correlated with overall toxins in water (r = 0.378) and increased the probability of the occurrence of EAST1 in water (odds ratio (OR)=4.96, 95% CI, 2.81–8.74; P=0.000). E. coli toxins have been found to be effective biomarkers for detecting possible drinking water contamination in households with diarrhea. Long-term planning for the protection and/or treatment of stored household drinking water to ensure toxins free water at the point of use are required.

Deposition of methamphetamine residues produced by simulated smoking

In New Zealand, many concerns have been raised over the presence of methamphetamine contamination in households, especially when its provenance is unknown. Previous research found that contamination levels on household surfaces were higher after the premises had been used as a clandestine laboratory. It is believed that the levels of contamination produced from smoking methamphetamine are much less than those produced through manufacture. This study’s aim was to determine the amount of methamphetamine contamination produced, after simulated smoking, on a range of common, smooth surface types. Accumulation over time was also investigated. The experiment, comprising four simulated smoking events (referred to as ‘smokes’) of 0.2 g followed by a fifth simulated smoking event of 1.2 g (a cumulative total of 2 g) of methamphetamine hydrochloride, was carried out in a shipping container. Subsequent swabs were taken from squares of 100 cm2, following the NIOSH 9111 method. Results were quantified using LC-MS/MS. The methamphetamine concentrations measured gave a range from an overall mean of 0.91 µg/100 cm2 after the first smoke and 15.9 µg/100 cm2 after the final smoke. A rate of accumulation for each surface type was established, as well as an order of surfaces showing the most to least observed contamination. A significant reduction in the level of contamination was observed over a short period of time, although a clear rate was not established. Finally, a relationship between the recovered amounts of methamphetamine and amphetamine produced through the pyrolysis (smoking) process was also determined.

An Extensive Analysis of Understanding Consumer Intention towards Reduction of Food Waste

Purpose: People's purchasing and consumption patterns have been substantially influenced by different behaviours. The widespread concern about reducing food waste has resulted in the need for environmental concern. Consumer food purchases differ from each other when consuming in dine-in outlets where different factors can result in food trash leading to a serious threat in restaurants. Food waste has a significant impact on businesses across the country; this study will indicate by understanding the consumers' behavioural patterns whether or not the problem of food waste can be improved. This research helps to know the changes in consumers' intention consumption behaviours regarding food waste in dining outlets to avoid and reduce it. Design/Methodology: This research is based on secondary sources acquired from extensive literature, case studies, journal articles, and internet searches. Findings: According to the findings, society is becoming alert to the food waste problem and are taking proactive actions to prevent food waste in their households as well. The influence of the pandemic in 2020 has also served as a warning in every outlet regarding the environmental effects of food waste and pollution. This has enabled people to collaborate from the comfort of their own homes, and they are more cautious about purchasing food anywhere they go to dine and have a strong notion to reduce waste on their part. Because of the pandemic, the community's broad waste patterns have slowed, protecting the environment in the process and has given hope for sustainability. Research limitations/implications: Restaurant food waste is India's growing problem. In addition to this, people are suffering a crisis due to the pandemic, which has resulted in food scarcity which is also leading to hunger. Because waste is one of the country's existing challenges due to its vast population, inefficient waste management methods must be fixed to minimize the possible risk of food waste contamination in households and food businesses. Originality/value: There is a high demand in India for an efficient strategy to prevent future contamination of food waste by any further upcoming situation. With the rising population and urbanization, individuals have to change themselves to a more efficient in handling the situation by understanding the problem of waste that will help themselves and the environment to the greatest. This research intends to address the challenges of food waste generated by restaurants by consumers, as well as potential methods and backup plans for overcoming the food waste disaster with long-term solutions. Paper Type: Review Paper

Consumer awareness of meat hazards with special reference to sources of meat contamination and microbiological hazards

This paper presents the results of consumer opinion testing (n=1000) on hazards in meat (biological, chemical), as well as consumer opinion about causes of meat contamination from farm to retail. Consumer opinion on sources of meat contamination in households is also presented.

Effectiveness of hygiene kit distribution to reduce cholera transmission in Kasaï-Oriental, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2018: a prospective cohort study

IntroductionHousehold contacts of cholera cases are at a greater risk of Vibrio cholerae infection than the general population. There is currently no agreed standard of care for household contacts, despite...

Effect of topical antimicrobial therapy and household cleaning on meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius carriage in dogs.

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is a multidrug-resistant canine pathogen with a low zoonotic potential. This study investigated MRSP carriage and clearance through topical antimicrobial therapy and household cleaning in dogs recovered from MRSP infection. Dogs were swabbed for MRSP carriage; household contamination was assessed using contact plates. Carrier dogs were allocated randomly to receive topical fusidic acid and chlorhexidine/miconazole treatment combined with owners implementing a household hygiene protocol (H&T) or implementation of hygiene alone (H) over three weeks. Carriage-negative dogs were monitored monthly. The relatedness of isolates over time was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). At inclusion, MRSP carriage was confirmed in 31/46 (67.4%) index dogs and 16/24 (66.7%) contact dogs, and contamination was found in 18/40 (45%) environments. In dogs completing all cycles, interventions cleared carriage in 5/9 (55.6%) dogs in group H&T and 2/6 (33.3%) in group H. Environmental contamination was infrequent but associated with carrier dogs (p=0.047). Monthly monitoring of initially negative dogs showed intermittent carriage in 9/14 dogs. PFGE-concordance was found among all 34 MRSP isolated from eight index dogs over time. MRSP carriage was common in dogs after recovery from infection. Topical antimicrobial therapy temporarily eliminated carriage but recurrence was frequent. Management efforts must include the prevention of recurrent infections and hygiene.

Comparative Effectiveness Study of Home-Based Interventions to Prevent CA-MRSA Infection Recurrence.

Recurrent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) caused by Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) or Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MSSA) present treatment challenges. This community-based trial examined the effectiveness of an evidence-based intervention (CDC Guidelines, topical decolonization, surface decontamination) to reduce SSTI recurrence, mitigate household contamination/transmission, and improve patient-reported outcomes. Participants (n = 186) were individuals with confirmed MRSA(+)/MSSA(+) SSTIs and their household members. During home visits; Community Health Workers/Promotoras provided hygiene instructions; a five-day supply of nasal mupirocin; chlorhexidine for body cleansing; and household disinfecting wipes (Experimental; EXP) or Usual Care Control (UC CON) pamphlets. Primary outcome was six-month SSTI recurrence from electronic health records (EHR). Home visits (months 0; 3) and telephone assessments (months 0; 1; 6) collected self-report data. Index patients and participating household members provided surveillance culture swabs. Secondary outcomes included household surface contamination; household member colonization and transmission; quality of life; and satisfaction with care. There were no significant differences in SSTI recurrence between EXP and UC in the intent-to-treat cohort (n = 186) or the enrolled cohort (n = 119). EXP participants showed reduced but non-significant colonization rates. EXP and UC did not differ in household member transmission, contaminated surfaces, or patient-reported outcomes. This intervention did not reduce clinician-reported MRSA/MSSA SSTI recurrence. Taken together with other recent studies that employed more intensive decolonization protocols, it is possible that a promotora-delivered intervention instructing treatment for a longer or repetitive duration may be effective and should be examined by future studies.

Establishing likelihood ratios for evaluating opposing propositions concerning the activity causing methamphetamine contamination: Smoking or manufacture?

In New Zealand, concerns have been raised over the presence of methamphetamine contamination in households, especially when the activity causing the contamination is unknown. The cause of contamination is also a contentious issue in clandestine laboratory cases concerning charges in relation to “Use of Premises” (Section 12: Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, New Zealand). Regardless of the cause, other than scientific opinion, there is currently no analytical technique that can satisfactorily address the provenance of methamphetamine residues. For several years, approximate methamphetamine contamination levels have been collected from suspected clandestine laboratories in New Zealand, where methamphetamine is believed to have been manufactured. This study used this data and compared it to similar data from properties where the drug is suspected to have been used (smoked) to model likelihood ratios (LR). It is well documented that the LR forms the backbone to a Bayesian method of interpreting forensic evidence. As such, this data has the potential to underpin a novel Bayesian approach in the evaluation of clandestine laboratory evidence.

Comparative Assessment of Fecal Contamination in Piped-to-Plot Communal Source and Point-of-Drinking Water

The aim of this study was to compare the water quality of piped-to-plot source water with point-of-drinking water in the households of a low-income urban area in Bangladesh. A total of 430 low-income households and 78 communal sources connected to these households were selected from the East Arichpur area of Dhaka. The water samples were collected from point-of-drinking vessels (household members’ preferred drinking vessels i.e., a mug, glass, or bottle) in households and from linked sources at six-week intervals between September 2014 and December 2015. Water samples were processed using standard membrane filtration and culture methods to quantify E. coli. Analysis of paired data from source and point-of-drinking water collected on the same day showed that fecal contamination increased from source to point-of-drinking water in the households in 51% (626/1236) of samples. Comparison between bottles vs. other wide-mouth vessels (i.e., glasses, mugs, jugs) showed significantly lower odds (p = 0.000, OR = 0.58, (0.43–0.78)) of fecal contamination compared to other drinking vessels. The findings suggest that recontamination and post-treatment contamination at the point of drinking play a significant role in water contamination in households. Hygiene education efforts in the future should target the promotion of narrow-mouth drinking vessels to reduce contamination.

Household Air Contamination: When SARS-CoV-2 Makes Itself at Home

Exposure to a household contact with COVID-19 is a significant risk factor for acquiring SARS-CoV-2. Given the concern that such transmission is

Air contamination of households versus hospital inpatient rooms occupied by severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive patients.

The household setting has some of the highest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) secondary-attack rates. We compared the air contamination in hospital rooms versus households of COVID-19 patients. Inpatient air samples were only positive at 0.3 m from patients. Household air samples were positive even without a COVID-19 patient in the proximity to the air sampler.