Assessment of health risks from recreational exposure to Giardia and Cryptosporidium in coastal bathing waters

Author(s)

Pinto, Karla Cristiane ^[1] ; Lauretto, Marcelo de Souza ^{[2, 3]} ; Navarro Gonzalez, Maria Ines J. ^[4] ; Zanoli Sato, Maria Ines ^{[3, 1]} ; Nardocci, Adelaide Cassia ^{[3, 5]} ; Pepe Razzolini, Maria Tereza ^{[3, 5]}

Affiliation

^[1] Environm Co State Sao Paulo, Dept Environm Anal, Av Prof Freder Hermann Jr 345, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities, R Arlindo Bettio 1000, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] NARA Ctr Res Environm Risk Assessment, Sch Publ Hlth, Environm Hlth Dept, Dr Arnaldo 715, 1 Andar, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Ingn, Edilicio 5, 1 Er Nivel, Cub 220 Circuito Escolar, Mexico City 04510, DF - Mexico

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, FSP, Sch Publ Hlth, Environm Hlth Dept, Av Dr Arnaldo 715, 1 Andar, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research; v. 27, n. 18 APR 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Some Brazilian beaches are impacted by raw or poorly treated sewage. Thus, users (beachgoers, sports people, and children) are exposed to pathogens, which pose health concerns. This study aimed to estimate the probability of infection and disease by Giardia and Cryptosporidium, using the quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), for three groups of bathers: children, adults, and open water swimmers. The concentrations of (oo)cysts were taken from a study run by CETESB (Environmental Company of Sao Paulo State) throughout 2011 and 2012, in which 203 samples were collected monthly and analyzed for (oo)cysts of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Giardia was present in 43% of the samples, while Cryptosporidium in 13%. Infection probability was higher in beaches with more positive samples for Giardia cysts for the group of open water swimmers. In some cases, the highest annual risk obtained for giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis was 2.4 x 10(-1) and 8.9 x 10(-3) for open water swimmers, respectively, exceeding the incidence results found in the epidemiological study run in summer of 1999 in Sao Paulo state coast. The results bring insights to improve environmental quality in order to protect tourists' and residents' wellbeing. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07375-0 - CeMEAI - Center for Mathematical Sciences Applied to Industry
• Grantee: Francisco Louzada Neto
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC