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Estimating the Health Risk Associated with the Use of Ecological Sanitation Toilets in Malawi.
- Source :
-
Journal of environmental and public health [J Environ Public Health] 2017; Vol. 2017, pp. 3931802. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Nov 08. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Use of Ecological Sanitation (EcoSan) sludge is becoming popular due to increasing price of organic fertilizers in Malawi; however, there is little evidence on the associated risks. Quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) was done to determine health risks associated with use of EcoSan. Pathogens considered included Escherichia coli (E. coli) , Salmonella, and soil transmitted helminths (STHs). Exponential and Beta Poisson models were used to estimate the risk from helminthic and bacterial pathogens, respectively. Main exposure pathways were through poor storage of sludge, contamination of foods during drying, walking barefoot on the ground contaminated with sludge, pit emptying without protection, and application of sludge in the fields. Estimated annual risk for Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia, and hookworms was approximately over 5.6 × 10 <superscript>-1</superscript> for both Fossa Alternas (FAs) and Urine Diverting Dry Toilet (UDDTs). Risk from E. coli and Salmonella was 8.9 × 10 <superscript>-2</superscript> and above. The risks were higher than WHO acceptable risk for use of faecal sludge in crops of 10 <superscript>-4</superscript> infections per year. Promoters and users of EcoSan latrines need to consider advocating for strict guidelines to reduce the risk.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Animals
Escherichia coli physiology
Escherichia coli Infections microbiology
Helminthiasis parasitology
Helminths physiology
Humans
Malawi epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Salmonella physiology
Salmonella Infections microbiology
Soil parasitology
Soil Microbiology
Young Adult
Escherichia coli Infections epidemiology
Helminthiasis epidemiology
Risk Assessment statistics & numerical data
Salmonella Infections epidemiology
Sanitation methods
Toilet Facilities statistics & numerical data
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1687-9813
- Volume :
- 2017
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of environmental and public health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 29250122
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3931802