Health surveys of cyanobacteria in drinking and recreational waters

• Main Authors: Guadalupe Martínez Juárez, Idoia Merino Azcue
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedad Española de Sanidad Ambiental 2008-06-01
• Series: Revista de Salud Ambiental
• Subjects: vigilancia sanitaria; cianobacterias; aguas baño; aguas consumo
• Online Access: https://ojs.diffundit.com/index.php/rsa/article/view/200

<div class="column"><p><span>Environmental surveys of drinking and recreational waters with the objective of related health risk control are a common component in public health policy. Based in updated scientific knowledge proliferation of Cyanobacteria constitutes a new risk, and it should be considered in public health programs. </span></p> <p><span>The principal objective of this work is to assess the presence of cyanobacteria and microcystins in drinking and recreational waters. Results of a four year survey in the sanitary department of Talavera de la Reina are presented. </span></p> <p><span>A descriptive study of the presence of cyanobacteria and microcystins, in non treated water from two reservoirs at the pick up point and after treatment in the exit point from two treatment plants. The same approach has been used in two recreational summer natural water reservoirs. Every fifteen days samples were analysed for cyanobateria recount and free microcystin level determination by ELISA essay. </span></p> <p><span>From the results of the analysis in drinking water we concluded that microcystines levels in non treated water from reservoirs are not high, less than 6 per cent of samples showed a positive results for microcystins. Treatment was effective as no sample after treatment showed a positive result for microcystins. </span></p> <p><span>48 per cent of recreational water samples showed levels above 100,000 cells per ml, which corresponds to the WHO moderate adverse effect risk guide level. </span></p> <p><span>Public health policy should include systematic level survey of cyanobaterias from drinking and recreational water. Exposure related health adverse effects surveys should be conducted.</span></p></div>