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Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment for Recreational Exposure to Water Bodies in Philadelphia
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment for Recreational Exposure to Water Bodies in Philadelphia

Neha Sunger and Charles N. Haas
Water environment research, v 87(3), pp 211-222
01 Mar 2015
PMID: 25842531

Abstract

Engineering Engineering, Environmental Environmental Sciences Environmental Sciences & Ecology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Limnology Marine & Freshwater Biology Physical Sciences Science & Technology Technology Water Resources
A quantitative microbial risk assessment was conducted to estimate risk of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses associated with recreational exposure to Philadelphia waterways, under dry and wet weather conditions. Using maximum likelihood estimation, stochastic exposure models were generated for each exposure scenario and Monte Carlo techniques were applied to characterize uncertainty in final risk estimates. The dry-weather risk estimates were found significantly lower than those predicted for wet-weather conditions. Moreover, the predicted risk, calculated in proportion of the frequency of use, was elevated at 6 out of 10 sites (ranging from 9 to 52 illnesses/1000 users/day). Activities contributing most to the risk of GI illness at creeks were identified as wading and playing (81%), while fishing was the potential risk contributor (65%) at rivers. The quantitative measure of risk contribution from each type of water activity obtained from this study can be useful for policy makers in prioritizing the future interventions.

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35 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#6 Clean Water and Sanitation
#11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
#14 Life Below Water

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Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Environmental
Environmental Sciences
Limnology
Water Resources
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