Drinking water system treatment and contamination in Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon
EMHJ-Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2016; 22 (8): 568-578
em Inglês
| IMEMR
| ID: emr-183454
ABSTRACT
Drinking water at Shatila Palestinian Refugee Camp in Beirut, Lebanon is of poor quality and unpredictably intermittent quantity. We aimed to characterize drinking water sources and contamination at Shatila and determine how drinking water can be managed to reduce community health burdens. We interviewed the Popular Committee, well owners, water vendors, water shopkeepers and preschool administrators about drinking water sources, treatment methods and the population served. Water samples from the sources and intermediaries were analysed for thermotolerant faecal coliforms [FCs], Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum and microsporidia, using immunofluorescent antibody detection for G. lamblia and C. parvum, and chromotrope-2 stain for microsporidia. All drinking water sources were contaminated with FCs and parasites. FC counts [cfu/mL] were as follows wells [35-300], water vendors [2-178], shops [30-300] and preschools [230-300]. Responsible factors identified included unskilled operators; improper maintenance of wells and equipment; lack of proper water storage and handling; and misperception of water quality. These factors must be addressed to improve water quality at Shatila and other refugee camps
Buscar no Google
Índice:
IMEMR (Mediterrâneo Oriental)
Assunto principal:
População
/
Intoxicação por Água
/
Poluentes da Água
/
Abastecimento de Água
/
Água
/
Recursos Hídricos
/
Inquéritos e Questionários
Limite:
Humanos
Idioma:
Inglês
Revista:
East Mediterr Health J.
Ano de publicação:
2016
Similares
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS