PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Drainage, Sanitary”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Urban stormwater infrastructure as a microplastic superhighway: a critical review of transport dynamics, modelling, and mitigation across pavements and drainage networks.

This review examines the transport, fate, modelling, and mitigation of Microplastics (MPs) in urban stormwater infrastructure, with emphasis on pavements, runoff pathways, micro-drainage, and macro-drainage systems. Following a systematic review approach, more than 1000 records were screened and approximately 50 core studies were retained when they addressed urban stormwater or drainage-related MP transport with adequate methodological reporting; marine-only studies and biological-effect studies without direct relevance to transport processes were excluded. The evidence shows that stormwater systems function not merely as passive conduits but as dynamic reactive transport systems with temporary storage, where particle mobilisation, sedimentation, resuspension, and temporary retention regulate MP export. Road surfaces, especially high-traffic areas, are major reservoirs of tyre wear, road-marking, atmospheric, and litter-derived particles that are rapidly mobilised during rainfall. Conventional grab sampling may underestimate MP loads, which in some cases exceed treated wastewater effluent loads by up to six-fold. Drainage structures such as manholes can immobilise up to 17.3% of near-neutrally buoyant particles, while biofouling and aggregation may shift buoyant polymers from wash-load to bedload. Mitigation systems, including permeable pavements, bioretention, wetlands, and technical inserts, can achieve high removal of coarse MPs, but performance declines for fine particles below 100 µm. The review highlights the need for standardised flow-proportional sampling, physically informed modelling, and treatment-train strategies targeting both surface sources and in-network storage.

Microplastics↗
PubMed2005

Multi-zone modeling of probable SARS virus transmission by airflow between flats in Block E, Amoy Gardens.

UNLABELLED: More than 300 residents of a private high-rise housing estate were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome within a short period during the 2003 epidemic in Hong Kong. The outbreak occurred after the identified index patient visited a flat on a middle floor in Block E of the Amoy Gardens estate on two nights. Approximately 45% of the subsequently infected people resided in Block E, while the other 55% of infected cases mainly resided in six other blocks close to Block E. The distribution of the infected flats in Block E conformed to a non-uniform spatial pattern. Probable environmental causes for airborne transmission associated with the air movements between flats in Block E are identified. The well-established multi-zone airflow modeling method was used to analyze the virus-laden bio-aerosol dispersion between flats through door and window leakage areas in Block E under six different scenarios. The distribution of infection risk in Block E matched with the virus concentrations in flats predicted with the use of multi-zone modeling. Our study shows the importance of ventilation design in high-rise residential apartments. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The present study on the Amoy Gardens outbreak presented a scenario in which crowded living spaces might lead to infection disasters. There is a need to improve the current sanitary drainage design and maintenance standards to avoid any leakage of foul gas into the indoor environments. Our study revealed the need for a review of indoor air quality and ventilation design in buildings including offices, homes and hotels. The study has implications to public health in, for example, the control of other airborne respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza, and in bio-terror safety in buildings.

Air Movements↗
PubMed1994

Personal and domestic hygiene and its relationship to the incidence of diarrhoea in south Sumatera.

The association of risk factors and diarrhoeal disease incidence among children less than 3 years of age in District Rambutan, South Sumatera, was investigated by a 20-week case-control study of 48 households with a high incidence of diarrhoeal diseases and 111 households with low incidence. Among sociodemographic characteristics, television ownership had a significant negative association with diarrhoeal disease incidence (odds ratio [OR] 3.22). The hygiene behaviour significantly associated with diarrhoeal diseases were: disposing of children's faeces in open places rather than in a latrine (OR > 10.47); bathing children in rivers rather than at wells (OR 2.88); children eating with their hands rather than with spoons (OR 5.6); household members defecating in open places rather than a latrine (OR 2.56); house without sewage system (OR 6.98). To control diarrhoeal disease in the study area, we suggest targeting three groups of behaviour for modification: those related to a) faeces disposal, b) sanitary drainage, and c) handwashing with soap and using spoons for eating.

Child Care↗
PubMed1997

Infectious diseases in the 21st century.

Infecto-contagious diseases in the twenty-first century with respect to precedent will see themselves deprived of smallpox, dracunculiasis and very probably of paralyzing poliomyelitis. Vaccination-preventable diseases, such as measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, some forms of meningitis, yellow fever and episodes of disseminated tuberculosis will greatly diminish in their rates of morbi-lethality; the elimination of some, and the eradication of measles, are expected. Other diseases such as diarrhea (including cholera), geo-helminthiasis, some severe respiratory tract infections and the majority of vector-transmitted infectious diseases will decrease due to improvements in potable water services, drainage, sanitary food control, living quarters, and individual and community anti-vector action. Leprosy, onchocerciasis and several parasitoses will be controlled by the available antimicrobial drugs. Infectious diseases will continue to be an important health problem due to: Reduction in the immunocompetence resulting from the aging of the population, chemotherapies necessary for neoplasms, and autoimmune pathology and the survival of persons with primary immunodeficiencies; lifestyles prone to infectious pathology, such as mega-city urbanization, children in day care centers, industrialized foods, intravenous drug addiction, sexual liberation, global commerce, and tourism; antibiotic-multiresistant microbial flora; environmental disturbances as a result of global warming, deforestation, the settling of virgin areas, dams, the large-scale use of pesticides, fertilizers and antimicrobials, and natural/social disasters generators of poverty, violence and deprivation will result in emergence or re-emergence of infectious diseases already controlled in the past.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed1983

[From the Cloaca Maxima to current sewage treatment works--historical aspects of waste disposal].

According to calculations made by the well-known hygienist Max Rubner in 1890, the annual quantity of waste made up of excreta, urine, kitchen refuse, ashes and water for general use than ran to 7,300 kgs. Thus it appears quite obvious that as early as in the ancient high cultures special waste disposal plants existed. In the Old Testament cesspools were in use, in Ancient Egypt sliding boxes served the same purpose, the Cretan palace of Knossos was provided with a really sophisticated water closet system and there is evidence that a similar facility existed in Mesopotamia. The Roman Cloaca maxima which functioned as a sanitary system for the entire capital, has never ceased to impress. With the advent of the so-called "miasma theory", public health legislations also started to take care of waste disposal, and as a result, various lavatories, slaughter-house and waste water facilities were created. When bacteriology began to establish itself, close attention was devoted to the ground water and the rivers. The "squatting closet" in Roman countries contrasted with the flush closet in England. For waste disposal, the so-called "Heidelberg barrel system" or the "Kiel exchange bucket system" were introduced. Of more recent date are the digestion chambers, the flow settling tanks and the "trickling or oxydation system" on the sprinkling fields.

Drainage, Sanitary↗
PubMed2005

Forces on sanitary solids in small sewers.

An experimental and modelling study has been carried out to investigate the movement mechanisms and behaviour of large sanitary solids in small sewers. The overall performance of the model has already been verified in terms of limiting solids transport distance, but in this paper the wave profile across the solid is also shown to fit model predictions well when compared visually. Further insight into how solids behave is also explored in this paper by plotting the interplay of the main horizontal and vertical forces acting on the solid. These results illustrate the dynamics of movement initiation, transport and deposition and indicate the most important forces. Model predictions of movement 'time per hop' have also been experimentally verified, giving further credence to the model. Experimental verification of the magnitude of the forces involved is planned.

Drainage, Sanitary↗
PubMed2006

Implementation impediments to institutionalising the practice of sustainable urban water management.

It is now well accepted that there are significant challenges to realising the widespread and self-sustaining implementation of sustainable urban water management. It is argued that these challenges are entrenched within the broader socio-political framework, yet often unsuccessfully addressed within the more narrow scope of improving technical knowledge and design capacity. This hypothesis is investigated through a comparative analysis of three independent research projects investigating different dimensions of the water cycle, including stormwater management in Australia and sanitary waste management and implementation of innovative technologies in the U.K. The analysis reveals significant and common socio-political impediments to improved practice. It was evident that the administrative regime, including implementing professionals and institutions, appears to be largely driven by an implicit expectation that there is a technical solution to solve water management issues. This is in contrast to addressing the issues through broader strategies such as political leadership, institutional reform and social change. It is recognised that this technocratic culture is inadvertently underpinned by the need to demonstrate implementation success within short-term political cycles that conflict with both urban renewal and ecological cycles. Addressing this dilemma demands dedicated socio-technical research programs to enable the much needed shift towards a more sustainable regime.

Cities↗
PubMed2005

Integrated approaches in urban storm drainage: where do we stand?

Integrated approaches to urban storm-water drainage management are being increasingly advocated as necessary for advancing more sustainable and holistic management of urban water environments. In this paper, the status of integrated approaches in the management of urban storm-water discharges to receiving waterways is summarized. The starting point of the paper is with the recent scientific contributions, revealing that integration is being pursued and implemented predominantly at two conceptual levels. These include 1) integrating the technical system with the receiving waterway environment, and 2) considering the interaction and influence of the human system with the technical system through processes such as stakeholder and public participation. Additionally, it is argued that the evolving shift towards the implementation of water-quality-based strategies advances the need for further development and application of integrated models and approaches. The cases of online physically based models for predictive control and integrated source control and public participation are presented as examples of such ongoing developments in pursuit of integrated urban storm-water management.

Community Participation↗
PubMed2006

Chemical characterisation of organic electron donors for sulfate reduction for potential use in acid mine drainage treatment.

The production of acid mine drainage (AMD) containing high amounts of sulfate, heavy metals and low pH is of increasing concern. AMD is highly corrosive and results in economic and environmental problems. Organic electron donors for sulfate reduction were chemically characterised for potential use in AMD treatment. This was done in a process to develop a correlation between chemical composition and the capacity to drive sulfate reduction. Potential organic electron donors for sulfate reduction were chemically characterised in terms of dry matter content, ash content, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, lignin content, cellulose content, crude fat, crude fibre, in vitro digestibility, water-soluble carbohydrates, total non-structural carbohydrates and starch content. The chemical composition of the organic electron donors was then compared to results obtained from pilot plant studies where the organic electron donors for sulfate reduction were evaluated in terms of sulfate reduction. The chemical composition of the carbon source severely impacted its capacity to drive sulfate reduction and may be used to assist in predicting the sulfate reduction capacity of a carbon source. Organic electron donors for sulfate reduction high in protein content and low in lignin content or high in carbohydrate and crude fat content increased the capacity of a carbon source to drive sulfate reduction. The higher the fibre content of a carbon source, the lower the capacity to drive sulfate reduction. No correlation could be drawn between % dry matter, % ash content and sulfate reduction for the organic electron donors tested. Chemical characterisation can be used to assist in predicting sulfate reduction capacity of organic electron donors.

Acids↗
PubMed2006

Quality of shallow groundwater and drainage water in irrigated agricultural lands in a Mediterranean coastal region of Turkey.

Spatial and seasonal differences in water quality of drainage water and unconfined shallow groundwater were related to irrigation in Samandağ, a Mediterranean coastal region. Eighteen wells, seven drainage points and Orontes River were monitored bimonthly for one year for analyses of electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), cations (Na, K, Ca + Mg) and anions (CO(3), HCO(3), Cl and SO(4)). Agricultural irrigation using saline groundwater decreased water quality of Orontes River during the irrigation season (May to September) more than during the non-irrigation season (October to April). Seasonal fluctuations in water quality of shallow groundwater were greater during the irrigation season than the non-irrigation season in the study area. Excessive use of groundwater resulted in a decline in the water table levels in the irrigation season. Water table level rose up to the soil surface in areas where there was a lack of drainage or poor drainage, due to the impact of precipitation in the winter. SAR and pH values of drainage water increased in the irrigation season, while the other properties of drainage water decreased. Irrigation water quality of Orontes River was classified as C(3)S(1) in both seasons. Irrigation water quality of shallow groundwater and drainage water varied from C(2)S(1) to C(4)S(2) in one year. Drainage and well waters were found to be different on yearly basis in terms of Na, SAR (p<0.01) and Ca + Mg concentrations (p<0.001). Ca + Mg concentrations for both sources were different for all sampling dates (p<0.001).

Agriculture↗
PubMed1992

Microbial growth and blockage of sub-floor drains in a renal dialysis centre: a problem highlighted.

The accumulation of microorganisms embedded in biofilm within the drainage pipework leading from individual dialysis monitors in a renal dialysis centre, represents a significant threat to the safe operation of the whole centre due to blockage of the pipes and overflow of waste water. Attempts to disperse the growth with chemicals and disinfectants have been unsuccessful. Only mechanical rodding has removed the deposit, and regrowth has occurred. Those planning new dialysis centres should ensure that effluent pipework is readily accessible with multiple rodding eyes and is made of material able to withstand rodding and chemicals.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2004

Hydrocarbon pollution fixed to combined sewer sediment: a case study in Paris.

Over a period of two years (2000-2001), sediment samples were extracted from 40 silt traps (STs) spread through the combined sewer system of Paris. All sediment samples were analysed for physico-chemical parameters (pH, organic matter content, grain size distribution), with total hydrocarbons (THs) and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) selected from the priority list of the US-EPA. The two main objectives of the study were (1) to determine the hydrocarbon contamination levels in the sediments of the Paris combined sewer system and (2) to investigate the PAH fingerprints in order to assess their spatial variability and to elucidate the PAH origins. The results show that there is some important inter-site and intra-site variations in hydrocarbon contents. Despite this variability, TH and PAH contamination levels (50th percentile) in the Parisian sewer sediment are estimated at 530 and 18 microg g(-1), respectively. The investigation of the aromatic compound distributions in all of the 40 STs has underlined that there is, at the Paris sewer system scale, a homogeneous PAH background pollution. Moreover, the study of the PAH fingerprints, using specific ratios, suggests the predominance of a pyrolytic origin for those PAHs fixed to the sewer sediment.

Cities↗
PubMed2005

Mapping hazard from urban non-point pollution: a screening model to support sustainable urban drainage planning.

Non-point sources of pollution are difficult to identify and control, and are one of the main reasons that urban rivers fail to reach the water quality objectives set for them. Whilst sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are available to help combat this diffuse pollution, they are mostly installed in areas of new urban development. However, SuDS must also be installed in existing built areas if diffuse loadings are to be reduced. Advice on where best to locate SuDS within existing built areas is limited, hence a semi-distributed stochastic GIS-model was developed to map small-area basin-wide loadings of 18 key stormwater pollutants. Load maps are combined with information on surface water quality objectives to permit mapping of diffuse pollution hazard to beneficial uses of receiving waters. The model thus aids SuDS planning and strategic management of urban diffuse pollution. The identification of diffuse emission 'hot spots' within a water quality objectives framework is consistent with the 'combined' (risk assessment) approach to pollution control advocated by the EU Water Framework Directive.

Cities↗
PubMed2005

Characterisation of urban catchment suspended particulate matter (Auckland region, New Zealand); a comparison with non-urban SPM.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is an important transport agent for metal contaminants in streams, particularly during high flow periods such as storm events. For highly contaminated urban catchments in the greater Auckland (New Zealand) area, trace metal partitioning between the dissolved phase and SPM was determined, and SPM characterised in terms of its Si, Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, TOC, TON and PO(4) concentrations, as well as particle size, abundance, type and surface area. This data was compared to similar data from representative non-urban catchments in the Auckland region, the Kaipara River and Waikato River catchments, to identify any significant differences in the SPM and its potential trace metal adsorption capacity. Trace metal partitioning was assessed by way of a distribution coefficient: K(D)=[Me(SPM)]/[Me(DISS)]. Auckland urban SPM comprises quartz, feldspars and clay minerals, with Fe-oxides and minor Mn-oxides. No particles of anthropogenic origin, other than glass shards, were observed. No change in urban SPM particle size or SSA was observed with seasonal change in temperature, but the nature of the SPM was observed to change with flow regime. The abundance of finer particles, SSA and Al content of the SPM increased under moderate flow conditions; however, Si/Al ratios remained constant, confirming the importance of aluminosilicate detrital minerals in surface run-off. The SPM Fe content was observed to decrease with increased flow and was attributed to dilution of SPM Fe-oxide of groundwater origin. The Kaipara River SPM was found to be mineralogically, chemically and biologically similar to the urban SPM. However, major differences between urban catchment SPM and SPM from the much larger (non-urban) Waikato River were observed, and attributed to a higher abundance of diatoms. The Fe content of the Waikato River SPM was consistently lower (<5%), and the Si/Al ratio and Mn content was higher. Such differences observed between urban and non-urban SPM did not appear to affect the partitioning of Zn and Cu; however, Pb in the Kaipara and Waikato Rivers was found to be more associated with the dissolved phase. This is likely to reflect higher particulate Pb inputs to urban systems.

Drainage, Sanitary↗
PubMed2005

Urban wastewater and stormwater technologies in ancient Greece.

The status of urban sewerage and stormwater drainage systems in ancient Greece is reviewed, based on the results of archaeological studies of the 20th century. Emphasis is given to the construction, operation, and management of sewerage and stormwater drainage systems during the Minoan period (2nd millennium B.C.). The achievements of this period in dealing with the hygienic and the functional requirements of palaces and cities, were so advanced that they can only be compared to modern urban water systems, developed in Europe and North America in the second half of the 19th century A.D. The advanced Minoan technologies were exported to all parts of Greece in later periods of the Greek civilization, i.e. in Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods.

Archaeology↗