Risk Assessment of Virus in Drinking Water |
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Authors: | Charles N Haas Joan B Rose Charles Gerba Stig Regli |
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Institution: | Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Environmental Studies Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104.;School of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.;Department of Soil and Water Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.;Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. |
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Abstract: | The reevaluation of drinking water treatment practices in a desire to minimize the formation of disinfection byproducts while assuring minimum levels of public health protection against infectious organisms has caused it to become necessary to consider the problem of estimation of risks posed from exposure to low levels of microorganisms, such as virus or protozoans, found in treated drinking water. This paper outlines a methodology based on risk assessment principles to approach the problem. The methodology is validated by comparison with results obtained in a prospective epidemiological study. It is feasible to produce both point and interval estimates of infection, illness and perhaps mortality by this methodology. Areas of uncertainty which require future data are indicated. |
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Keywords: | Virus water supply infectious disease |
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