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USING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING RISKS TO HEALTH FROM MICROBES IN DRINKING WATER
Citation:
Sobsey, M. D., A. Dufour, C. P. Gerba, M. W. LeChevallier, AND P. Payment. USING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING RISKS TO HEALTH FROM MICROBES IN DRINKING WATER. Journal of the American Water Works Association 85(3):44-48, (1993).
Description:
The United States goal to reduce health risks from environmental exposures of all kinds of hazards has resulted in the need to assess the risks from exposure to microbes in drinking water. The model for a risk-based conceptual framework and strategy is provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Health Effects Research Laboratory. The proposed risk-based conceptual framework and strategy involves systematic identification, analysis, quantification and characterization of the microbial risks; comparison of the risks with risks from chemicals, especially disinfectants and their byproducts; and, the definition and implementation of a risk management plan that presents the lowest risk to the consumer. The most important issue concerning the health risks of microbial contaminants in drinking water is to identify, develop and then apply a formal risk assessment that leads to a risk management plan. The assessment and management of microbial risks should be based on a formal conceptual framework that consists of: hazard identification, exposure assessment, effects assessment, risk assessment and characterization, and a risk management strategy. (Agostine-PTT) reserarch