Title: Zentralblatt für Bakteriologie, Parasitenkunde, Infektionskrankheiten und Hygiene. Erste Abteilung Originale. Reihe B: Hygiene, präventive Medizin

Title: Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin

ISO Abbreviated Title: Zent.bl. Hyg. Umweltmed.

JCR Abbreviated Title: Zbl Hyg Umweltmed

ISSN: 0934-8859

Issues/Year: 5

Journal Country/Territory: Germany

Language: Multi-Language

Publisher: Gustav Fischer Verlag

Publisher Address: Villengang 2, D-07745 Jena, Germany

Subject Categories:

Public, Environmental & Occupational Health: Impact Factor 0.261, 79/85

Infectious Diseases Microbiology: Impact Factor 0.261,

? Rajan, S., Azariah, J. and Bauer, U. (1990), Trihalomethane levels in Madras public drinking water supply system and its impact on public health. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 189 (4), 312-332.

Abstract: It is known that trihalomethanes (THM) are formed during chlorination of drinking water for disinfection. Heightened concern about these substances is due to the fact that THMs are now characterized as potential mutagen, carcinogen and teratogen. Thus, it is a risk factor in human beings. In the present study, a total number of 13 stations located in different drinking water trunk mains of the city of Madras were analysed for THM using the Gas Liquid Chromatographic method. It is reported that THM are formed after treatment of raw water with chlorine at the levels required for disinfection. The THM level in drinking water increased towards the dead-end of the water trunk mains. A relationship between the distance travelled by the potable water and the level of THM was established. At certain stations, the total trihalomethanes level (TTHM) was found to exceed the EPA’s maximum contaminant level. Further, an intermittent addition of the precursors for the formation of THM through the seepage of polluted River Cooum water into the pipe lines has been demonstrated. An experiment on the trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) clearly revealed the occurrence of higher magnitude of humic substances in source water. Therefore, it is suggested that if suitable steps are not taken, various environmental factors may trigger the THM kinetics. Hence, it is obvious that pretreatment regulations proposed by developed countries are essential if safe drinking water is to be supplied to the people of Madras.

? Havelaar, A.H., Versteegh, J.F. and During, M. (1990), The presence of Aeromonas in drinking water supplies in The Netherlands. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 190 (3), 236-256.

Abstract: The occurrence of Aeromonas in raw, treated and distributed waters of 20 different treatment stations in the Netherlands was studied over a one-and-a-half year period. River water yielded highest numbers (greater than 10,000 cfu/100 ml) of predominantly anaerogenic strains. In open storage reservoirs for river water or dune infiltrate, numbers were usually between 1,000 and 10,000/100 ml with a majority of aerogenic strains, in particular A. sobria. River water after dune infiltration or pure dune water, collected in closed systems, as well as aerobic or anaerobic groundwater, were usually free of Aeromonas in 100 ml. Treated waters showed low counts (usually less than 10 cfu/100 ml), irrespective of raw water source. Regrowth of aeromonads occurred in 16 out of 20 distribution systems examined. Geometric means counts (2nd half of 1986) in these systems varied between 1 and 440 cfu/100 ml and maximum counts between 10 and 3300 cfu/100 ml. Aeromonas-densities were related to temperature and residence time, but not to total organic matter or heterotrophic plate counts. Regrowth occurred particularly in drinking water derived from anaerobic groundwater containing methane. A. hydrophila was the most frequently isolated species from distribution waters, but A. caviae and A. sobria were predominant in a few systems.

? Chowdhury, M.A., Yamanaka, H., Miyoshi, S. and Shinoda, S. (1990), Ecology of mesophilic Aeromonas spp. in aquatic environments of a temperate region and relationship with some biotic and abiotic environmental parameters. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 190 (4), 344-356.

Abstract: The Ecology of mesophilic Aeromonas species has been investigated since January 1988 to examine their occurrence and distribution in aquatic environments of Okayama Prefecture. Water and plankton samples were quantitatively as well as qualitatively analyzed throughout the seasons from five selected stations including fresh, brackish, and saline environments. Analysis of variance and correlation coefficients among the biotic and abiotic parameters were sought. The organisms were found in all the environs with high densities through all the seasons. Plankton samples yielded higher counts of Aeromonas than the water samples in all the environs. Water temperature seemed to play a significant role on their growth during the winter months, however, no significant seasonal variation nor any correlation with fecal pollution were observed in most of the environments. A reciprocal relationship was seen with salt concentration in the saline environment. Among the currently recognized mesophilic species, A. caviae, A. hydrophila, A. sobria, and A. media were isolated with the predominance of anaerobic biovar. The present study reveals that Aeromonas are widely distributed in fresh, brackish and saline environments of this region. The study also reveals that Aeromonas are autochthonous members in aquatic ecosystems and are indigenous to these environs. Aeromonas species isolated from our environments were found to exhibit drug resistance potential which differed from that of isolates from diverse geographical locales. The high incidence of clinically significant Aeromonas species in this aquatic region could be of public health significance for the inhabitants of this region, as well as a challenge to their dependence on aquatic resources.

? Nogueira, M., Moriske, H.J. and Ruden, H. (1990), Chemical and biological characterization from particles collected in the electrostatic precipitator from a municipal waste incinerator. 2. mutagenic activity of the organic extracts and subfractions and concentrations of PAH. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 190 (5-6), 523-535.

? Jacob, J., Bindemann, U. and Stelzer, W. (1991), Characterization of thermophilic Campylobacters originated from a high-rate sewage-treatment plant. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 192 (1), 14-24.

Abstract: Campylobacter strains isolated during a one-year study from a municipal waste water treatment plant have been characterized. The study shows a considerable release of Campylobacter strains into the receiving linked river system. Campylobacter isolated here, are very similar to isolates originating from enteritic cases. In contrast to other reports we conclude that the strains released from the sewage treatment plant into the environment represent a potential risk for public health.

? Mose, J.R., Pfeiffer, K.P., Kock, M., Pichlersemmelrock, F. and Marth, E. (1991), Cancer mortality from 1978 to 1987 in smaller regions of styria, austria, with different environmental-conditions. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 191 (5-6), 563-574.

Abstract: In 1984 we have shown in a study, that regions with high air pollution have a higher respiratory cancer rate than regions without substantial air pollution. In this study 45 small regions of Styria, which can be considered homogenous from an environmental viewpoint, have been studied with respect to age standardized respiratory cancer mortality. These small regions have been classified into regions without substantial air pollution, with substantial air and substantial water pollution. Between 1978 and 1987 we have found that small regions with substantial air or water pollution show an increased age standardized respiratory cancer mortality than small regions with ‘good’ environmental conditions. In some regions the rate was twice as high compared to regions without substantial environmental problems. The main difference was found for the age group between 60 and 75 years. Generally between 1978 and 1987 no trend has been observed, only within age groups a shift can be seen.

Keywords: Air-Pollution, Lung-Cancer, Water, Risk

? Exner, M. (1995), Infectious-diseases from the hygienic viewpoint with special reference of infectious-diseases from the environment: A retrospective and prospective view. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 197 (1-3), 134-161.

Abstract: Infectious diseases showed a considerable change in their epidemiologic significance during this century. Twenty years ago it seemed that infectious diseases would be definity under control. As a result there was a neglect of the efforts for prevention, recognition and controlling of infectious diseases, especially in the administration. Today we have to state that old and new infectious diseases have regained a new and partly dramatic epidemiologic importance, influenced by several factors like overpopulation, wars, hunger, migration in the underdeveloped countries and the increase of the old and the immunosuppressed people of the population in the developed countries. A review is given of the increasing significance of old and new infectious diseases in the last 2 decades. Transmissible diseases from the environment have a special importance because many people are affected hereby. Hygienic aspects of drinking and swimming water, air-and ground caused infectious diseases are treated. The political support is requested. The institutions have had an important role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases in the past like the public health departments, hygiene and medical microbiology urgently need the support and promotion of the government.

? Mathys, W. (1995), Investigations about the chemical composition and ways of reuse of activated carbon sludges from surface water treatment plants. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 197 (5), 420-440.

Abstract: By using activated carbon (PAC) or by other water treatment procedures remarkable amounts of sludges are produced that have normally to be discharged as wastes outside the plant site. The research objective of this study is to get basic information about the quality of PAC sludges to characterise these materials in order to decide between depositing or re-use/recycling. On four water works with artificial ground water recharge and PAC treatment plants to eliminate pesticides from surface waters derailed analysises and experiments were carried out. The determination of carbon, nitrogen, other nutrient elements, heavy-metals and organic pollutants reveal greatly differing amounts within the water works and during the year. The treatment techniques had an important influence on the chemical composition of the sludges. Mixing of PAC sludges with other sludges strongly reduced the amount of carbon. Heavy metals were present only in small quantities. Sludge from one plant, however, contained elevated concentrations of arsenic. PAC sludges from plants treating river water had considerably high amounts of adsorbable organohalogen. Leaching experiments performed with the sludges demonstrated that only small quantities of pollutants are extractable. For most sludges a deposition on domestic refuse dumps is possible. An alternative way is to discharge the liquid sludges into municipal sewage treatment plants. Addition to the biological treatment tank significantly reduced the concentration of AOX in the sewage effluent. Laboratory experiments and field studies on heavily polluted dump leachates showed a remarkable remaining adsorption capacity of the PAC. As a consequence, PAC sludges have to be considered not exclusively as wastes, but rather as valuable materials for purification processes treating waste waters with high loads of organic, especially organohalogen, substances.

Keywords: Pesticides, Atrazine, Removal

? Romano, G., Stampi, S., Zanetti, F., de Luca, G. and Tonelli, E. (1997), Occurrence of gram-negative bacteria in drinking water undergoing softening treatment. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 200 (2-3), 152-162.

Abstract: A study was carried out on the presence of Gram-negative bacteria in the municipal waters of Bologna (Italy) undergoing softening using domestic ion exchangers with an automatic disinfection mechanism. The softening process was seen to cause a 15 fold increase in 22°C and 36°C heterotrophic plate counts. There was a 30 fold increase in Gram-negative bacteria and their number correlated directly with temperature and inversely with active residual chlorine. Organic matter had no effect on bacterial growth. The most commonly found bacteria were various species of Pseudomonas (87.6%) (Ps. acidovorans, Ps. denitrificans, Ps. fluorescens and Ps. testosteroni) followed by Aeromonas hydrophila (5.6%) and Stenotrophomonas (Xantomonas) maltophilia (3.8% in outgoing water). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (present in 5.6% of incoming water samples and 0.4% of outgoing water) and Yersinia enterocolitica (present in 4.3% of incoming water samples and 1.1% of outgoing water) did not find favorable conditions for growth on the ion exchange resins.

? Heiber, I., Frahm, E. and Obst, U. (1998), Comparison of four methods for the detection of fecal streptococci in water. Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 201 (4-5), 357-369.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to select an effective and fast method for the detection of socalled fecal streptococci in water by comparing a method acoording to the German drinking water standard, a membrane filtration method according to the ISO-draft standard 7899/2, the Chromocult(R) Enterococcus Broth (Merck)(1) and the Enterolert(R)-System (IDESX)(2). The study was based on a collective of 297 water samples derived from different stages of water treatment and distribution, as well as from individual water supplies. The sensitivity, reliability, and selectivity of the single methods in relation to their practicability was evaluated. Concerning false positive and false negative results, the tests were proved by metabolic characterization of the isolated strains. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods resulting from the investigated criteria are discussed. The work is part of a comparative study within the scope of the DIN ad-hoc-committee ‘fecal streptococci’.

Keywords: Fecal Streptococci, Enterococci, Selective Media, German Drinking Water Standard, Membrane Filtration Method, Chromocult (R), Enterolert (R), Enterococci