U.S. Drinking Water Sanitation Still a Concern: CDC
Legionella-tainted plumbing systems, untreated groundwater, and problems with distribution systems were the three main culprits identified in the 33 outbreaks reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2009 to 2010.
In all, unsanitary drinking water was responsible for 1,040 illnesses, 85 hospitalizations and nine deaths in 17 states during that time.
Legionella in community water systems was behind more than half of the outbreaks, while Campylobacter was the second most common outbreak cause, according to the report published in the Sept. 6 issue of CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Although Legionella, which causes a severe respiratory illness known as Legionnaires' disease, led to a greater number of outbreaks, other types of bacteria resulted in more illnesses, including acute gastrointestinal illness, according to the report.
States that reported drinking water-related outbreaks were California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah and Vermont.
Identifying and correcting problems with water-distribution systems and untreated groundwater systems could prevent many outbreaks and illnesses, while more research is needed to learn how to better control Legionella, the report concludes.
More information
Researchers found students exposed to higher levels of the element had lower IQ test scores Credit: HealthDay
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has more about groundwater and drinking water.
'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem' Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.
'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem' Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.
