TY - JOUR
T1 - Modelling microbial health risk of wastewater reuse
T2 - A systems perspective
AU - Beaudequin, Denise
AU - Harden, Fiona
AU - Roiko, Anne
AU - Stratton, Helen
AU - Lemckert, Charles
AU - Mengersen, Kerrie
PY - 2015/11/1
Y1 - 2015/11/1
N2 - There is a widespread need for the use of quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to determine reclaimed water quality for specific uses, however neither faecal indicator levels nor pathogen concentrations alone are adequate for assessing exposure health risk. The aim of this study was to build a conceptual model representing factors contributing to the microbiological health risks of reusing water treated in maturation ponds. This paper describes the development of an unparameterised model that provides a visual representation of theoretical constructs and variables of interest. Information was collected from the peer-reviewed literature and through consultation with experts from regulatory authorities and academic disciplines. In this paper we explore how, considering microbial risk as a modular system, following the QMRA framework enables incorporation of the many factors influencing human exposure and dose response, to better characterise likely human health impacts. By using and expanding upon the QMRA framework we deliver new insights into this important field of environmental exposures. We present a conceptual model of health risk of microbial exposure which can be used for maturation ponds and, more importantly, as a generic tool to assess health risk in diverse wastewater reuse scenarios.
AB - There is a widespread need for the use of quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to determine reclaimed water quality for specific uses, however neither faecal indicator levels nor pathogen concentrations alone are adequate for assessing exposure health risk. The aim of this study was to build a conceptual model representing factors contributing to the microbiological health risks of reusing water treated in maturation ponds. This paper describes the development of an unparameterised model that provides a visual representation of theoretical constructs and variables of interest. Information was collected from the peer-reviewed literature and through consultation with experts from regulatory authorities and academic disciplines. In this paper we explore how, considering microbial risk as a modular system, following the QMRA framework enables incorporation of the many factors influencing human exposure and dose response, to better characterise likely human health impacts. By using and expanding upon the QMRA framework we deliver new insights into this important field of environmental exposures. We present a conceptual model of health risk of microbial exposure which can be used for maturation ponds and, more importantly, as a generic tool to assess health risk in diverse wastewater reuse scenarios.
KW - Complex systems
KW - Conceptual model
KW - Health risk assessment
KW - Quantitative microbial risk assessment
KW - Waste stabilisation pond
KW - Water recycling
KW - Models, Theoretical
KW - Recycling/methods
KW - Humans
KW - Waste Water/microbiology
KW - Water Purification/standards
KW - Risk Assessment/methods
KW - Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods
KW - Environmental Exposure/adverse effects
KW - Water Microbiology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84939183367&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.envint.2015.08.001
DO - 10.1016/j.envint.2015.08.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 26277638
AN - SCOPUS:84939183367
SN - 0160-4120
VL - 84
SP - 131
EP - 141
JO - Environment International
JF - Environment International
ER -