Organic Fertilizers: Public Health Intricacies

Adegoke, Anthony A.; Awolusi, Oluyemi Olatunji; Stenström, Thor Axel

doi:10.5772/64195

Cited by 21 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 105 publications

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“…Residual antibiotics and ARGs remain two major concerns in integrated human health risk assessment associated with the use of wastewater (213–215). The risk associated with reuse of wastewater containing antibiotics or any pharmaceutical is generally expressed as risk quotient (RQ) or hazard quotient (HQ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological Evidence and Health Risks Associated With Agricultural Reuse of Partially Treated and Untreated Wastewater: A Review

Adegoke

Amoah

Stenström

et al. 2018

Front. Public Health

Self Cite

110

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The use of partially treated and untreated wastewater for irrigation is beneficial in agriculture but may be associated with human health risks. Reports from different locations globally have linked microbial outbreaks with agricultural reuse of wastewater. This article reviews the epidemiological evidence and health risks associated with this practice, aiming toward evidence-based conclusions. Exposure pathways that were addressed in this review included those relevant to agricultural workers and their families, consumers of crops, and residents close to areas irrigated with wastewater (partially treated or untreated). A meta-analysis gave an overall odds ratio of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.31, 2.06) for diarrheal disease and 5.49 (95% CI: 2.49, 12.10) for helminth infections for exposed agricultural workers and family members. The risks were higher among children and immunocompromised individuals than in immunocompetent adults. Predominantly skin and intestinal infections were prevalent among individuals infected mainly via occupational exposure and ingestion. Food-borne outbreaks as a result of crops (fruits and vegetables) irrigated with partially or untreated wastewater have been widely reported. Contamination of crops with enteric viruses, fecal coliforms, and bacterial pathogens, parasites including soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs), as well as occurrence of antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have also been evidenced. The antibiotic residues and ARGs may get internalized in crops along with pathogens and may select for antibiotic resistance, exert ecotoxicity, and lead to bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms with high risk quotient (RQ). Appropriate mitigation lies in adhering to existing guidelines such as the World Health Organization wastewater reuse guidelines and to Sanitation Safety Plans (SSPs). Additionally, improvement in hygiene practices will also provide measures against adverse health impacts.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological Evidence and Health Risks Associated With Agricultural Reuse of Partially Treated and Untreated Wastewater: A Review

Adegoke

Amoah

Stenström

et al. 2018

Front. Public Health

Self Cite

110

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“…The increased use of organic fertilizers in agriculture has raised concerns about their safety [ 81 ]. Organic fertilizers can also introduce a range of human and animal pathogens into soil [ 82 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial Communities in Soils and Endosphere of Solanum tuberosum L. and their Response to Long-Term Fertilization

et al. 2020

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An understanding of how fertilization influences endophytes is crucial for sustainable agriculture, since the manipulation of the plant microbiome could affect plant fitness and productivity. This study was focused on the response of microbial communities in the soil and tubers to the regular application of manure (MF; 330 kg N/ha), sewage sludge (SF; 330 and SF3x; 990 kg N/ha), and chemical fertilizer (NPK; 330-90-300 kg N-P-K/ha). Unfertilized soil was used as a control (CF), and the experiment was set up at two distinct sites. All fertilization treatments significantly altered the prokaryotic and fungal communities in soil, whereas the influence of fertilization on the community of endophytes differed for each site. At the site with cambisol, prokaryotic and fungal endophytes were significantly shifted by MF and SF3 treatments. At the site with chernozem, neither the prokaryotic nor fungal endophytic communities were significantly associated with fertilization treatments. Fertilization significantly increased the relative abundance of the plant-beneficial bacteria Stenotrophomonas, Sphingomonas and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. In tubers, the relative abundance of Fusarium was lower in MF-treated soil compared to CF. Although fertilization treatments clearly influenced the soil and endophytic community structure, we did not find any indication of human pathogens being transmitted into tubers via organic fertilizers.

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“…Factors enhancing the continued persistence of ARGs and AMR in soil include the use of organic fertilizers or manure containing RAbs, ARGs, AMRB, etc. [ 33 ]. The RAbs found in organic fertilizers originate from human activities.…”

Section: The Soil Resistome As a Contributor To Amrmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This reduces the associated risks of infection to the user of the effluents and the residents around the receiving water environment. It should be noted that pathogens and RAbs in improperly treated wastewater effluents for reuse in irrigation are reportedly deposited on the surfaces or internalized in fruits and vegetables [ 33 ]. Consumption of MARB in uncooked foods like salads poses the greatest risks to the consumers [ 160 , 161 ].…”

Section: Coordinated Approaches Towards Addressing the Emergence Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consumption of MARB in uncooked foods like salads poses the greatest risks to the consumers [ 160 , 161 ]. This also applies to the reuse of the improperly treated sludge as organic fertilizer, exposing the farmers and crop consumers to the risks of MARB and difficult-to-treat infections [ 33 ]. The spread of MARB through wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) or sludge deposition to other segments of the environment needs to be controlled and proper treatment applied.…”

Section: Coordinated Approaches Towards Addressing the Emergence Amentioning

confidence: 99%

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Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs: Assessment of the Interrelationship of Occurrence in Clinical Settings and Environmental Niches

et al. 2016

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The increasing threat to global health posed by antibiotic resistance remains of serious concern. Human health remains at higher risk due to several reported therapeutic failures to many life threatening drug resistant microbial infections. The resultant effects have been prolonged hospital stay, higher cost of alternative therapy, increased mortality, etc. This opinionated review considers the two main concerns in integrated human health risk assessment (i.e., residual antibiotics and antibiotic resistant genes) in various compartments of human environment, as well as clinical dynamics associated with the development and transfer of antibiotic resistance (AR). Contributions of quorum sensing, biofilms, enzyme production, and small colony variants in bacteria, among other factors in soil, water, animal farm and clinical settings were also considered. Every potential factor in environmental and clinical settings that brings about AR needs to be identified for the summative effects in overall resistance. There is a need to embrace coordinated multi-locational approaches and interrelationships to track the emergence of resistance in different niches in soil and water versus the hospital environment. The further integration with advocacy, legislation, enforcement, technological innovations and further research input and recourse to WHO guidelines on antibiotic policy would be advantageous towards addressing the emergence of antibiotic resistant superbugs.

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Organic Fertilizers: Public Health Intricacies

Cited by 21 publications

References 105 publications

Epidemiological Evidence and Health Risks Associated With Agricultural Reuse of Partially Treated and Untreated Wastewater: A Review

Epidemiological Evidence and Health Risks Associated With Agricultural Reuse of Partially Treated and Untreated Wastewater: A Review

Microbial Communities in Soils and Endosphere of Solanum tuberosum L. and their Response to Long-Term Fertilization

Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs: Assessment of the Interrelationship of Occurrence in Clinical Settings and Environmental Niches

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