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Estimates of endemic waterborne risks from community-intervention studies
Rebecca L Calderon1, Gunther F Craun
1US Environmental Protection Agency, MD-58a, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. Calderon.rebecca@epa.gov
Journal of Water and Health
|August 10, 2006
Summary
Assessing endemic waterborne disease risks in the US is challenging. Community intervention studies using natural experiments from drinking water treatment changes can help estimate these risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Public health
Background:
- The burden of endemic waterborne disease in the United States is not well understood.
- Drinking water treatment and source water changes are common in community water systems, often driven by regulations like the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review community-intervention studies assessing waterborne gastroenteritis risks in immunocompetent populations in industrialized countries.
- To evaluate the utility of "natural experiments" in drinking water treatment changes for health risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- Review of published community-intervention studies on waterborne gastroenteritis.
- Analysis of studies examining changes in health risks associated with alterations in drinking water treatment and sources.
Main Results:
- Published results are available from studies in Australia, the UK, and the US, with preliminary data from two additional US studies.
- Limited current information suggests these studies can inform national estimates of endemic waterborne gastroenteritis.
- Data on risks associated with unfiltered surface water and surface-influenced groundwater are discussed.
Conclusions:
- Community-intervention studies provide valuable insights into endemic waterborne disease risks.
- Further studies with modifications are recommended to better quantify the public health benefits of improved drinking water treatment.
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