Children's Exposure Factors and Risk Perception of Sanitation Challenges Along the U.S.-Mexico Border

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Transboundary Environmental Management

Background:

• Sanitary sewage overflows (SSOs) in U.S.-Mexico border towns pose significant risks to shared ecosystems and community health due to high pathogen concentrations.
• An SSO near a school in Naco, Arizona, prompted a collaborative study to investigate children's exposure, risk perceptions, and communication preferences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess children's exposure factors related to sanitary sewage overflows (SSOs).
• To evaluate environmental and health-related risk perceptions among school staff and parents regarding SSOs.
• To identify risk communication preferences and governing barriers in transboundary SSO events.

Main Methods:

• A partnership between academia, government, and a school in Naco, Arizona, was formed.
• Surveys were administered to 9 school staff members and 31 parents to gather data on exposure, perceptions, and communication.
• Bioregion/One Health and cross-border governance frameworks were utilized for analysis.

Main Results:

• Observed lower hand/object-to-mouth behavior in children aged 4-6 compared to existing literature, suggesting a need to assess exposure factors for older children.
• A general negative risk perception towards SSOs was noted, yet about half of respondents were unaware of or unsure about SSO events.
• Governing barriers in managing SSO events were identified.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights significant governing barriers in addressing transboundary sanitary sewage overflows (SSOs).
• Effective intervention and risk communication strategies are crucial for mitigating health risks.
• Community participation is essential for successful management of SSO events in border regions.