Underrepresented groups in WaSH – the overlooked role of chemical toxicants in water and health

Abstract

The anthropogenic release of chemicals from industry, agriculture and the breakdown of consumer wastes constitute a major threat to water resources and public health. Pollution is severe and increasing in the developing world where chemical substances are produced, used, and disposed of in an unregulated manner. The global public health consequences of chemical pollution are comparable to or greater than those of widespread infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. However, chemicals have so far been neglected by the WaSH sector. Here, we report the results of a systematic review of the Journal of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for Development (2011–2018) and oral/poster presentations given at the UNC Water & Health Conference (2010–2018). The review enumerated studies that focused on water quality and treatment from a chemical perspective, highlighting in particular organic contaminants of emerging concern. Organic chemicals were addressed in only 2% of journal articles and fewer than 0.7% of conference presentations. Geogenic contaminants arsenic and fluoride were only addressed in 2–3% of articles and presentations. The review concludes that a rapid, major effort to address toxic chemicals in WaSH is necessary to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals for universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030.

The role of chemical exposures in reducing the effectiveness of water–sanitation–hygiene interventions in Bangladesh, Kenya, and Zimbabwe

“…It is possible, or perhaps likely, that exposure to chemical immunotoxins bears significant responsibility for the failure of traditional WASH interventions to achieve reductions in diarrheal disease (J. Kearns, 2019; J. P. Kearns, Bentley, et al, 2019). Furthermore, given known effects on the developing fetus, chemical immunotoxin exposure could also partly explain why no or only slight reductions in stunting after nutrition and nutrition-plus-WASH interventions were observed in the large trials (J. Kearns, 2019; J. P. Kearns, Bentley, et al, 2019).…”

“…A small number of studies have underscored the importance and treatability of chemical contaminants in WASH (J. P. Kearns, Bentley, et al, 2019; J. P. Kearns, Knappe, & Summers, 2014; J. P. Kearns, Shimabuku, Mahoney, Knappe, & Summers, 2015). Recently it was suggested that chemical exposures that were not accounted for could partly explain the null results obtained in the WASH Benefits and SHINE trials (J.…”

The key role of contact time in elucidating the mechanisms of enhanced decontamination by Fe0/MnO2/sand systems

“…Appropriate technologies are essentially considered as interim solutions wherever a centralized water supply is not yet available 1 . Factors relevant for selecting an appropriate solution for safe drinking water supply include 1 , 7 , 8 : (i) Simplicity in operation (no special skilled personnel), (ii) robustness (no frequent break downs), (iii) affordability (low installation and operation costs), (iv) ability to function without electricity, and (v) use of local skills and readily available resources. Research during the past two decades has rediscovered filtration systems based on metallic iron (Fe 0 ) as an affordable, applicable, and efficient water treatment technology for decentralized water supply (e.g.…”

Characterizing the impact of MnO2 addition on the efficiency of Fe0/H2O systems

“…These impacts are expected to substantially increase in the coming decades due to: (1) increased urbanization, (2) increased industrialization, and (3) climate change 1 – 3 . The low-income communities who are spatially scattered, and economically disadvantaged are most impacted by water pollution or lack of safe drinking water 2 – 4 . Thus, low-income communities need affordable, efficient and applicable technologies for their drinking water supply.…”