Growing concerns about the public health threat posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 has prompted interest in evaluating environmental control measures for this virus, according to a recently released study. Researchers from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the University of Georgia and the US Department of Agriculture found that avian viruses are readily inactivated by water chlorination.

Avian viruses stem, in large part, from aquatic birds (the main reservoir in the wild) shedding the virus into ocean littorals and surface waters, including drinking water reservoirs. In addition, agricultural run-off, including fecal waste from large poultry operations, can contaminate surface and ground waters with virus.

The study found that the maintenance of a free chlorine residual of 0.52 to 1.08 milligrams per liter of drinking water was sufficient to inactivate the virus by greater than three orders of magnitude within an exposure time of one minute. They noted that current EPA specifications for inactivation of enteric viruses (free chlorine Ct values of 6 and 8 mg-min/L to achieve inactivation of 3 and 4 orders of magnitude, respectively) would be "more than sufficient" to inactivate H5N1 in the water environment.

For more information on the study, please visit:
Chlorination Inactivates Avian Flu Strain

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is spearheading an information campaign on the lack of access to clean drinking water, a health crisis affecting more than a billion people around the world. Last week the NAS teamed with the Global Health and Education Foundation, among others, to launch "Safe Drinking Water Is Essential". This Internet-based resource, at www.drinking-water.org, provides a free database of information on drinking water safety and purification.

Information on the site, compiled globally from scientists and peer-reviewed by colleagues worldwide, will be accessible online and through one of 10,000 compact discs to be distributed in six targeted countries- Brazil, Poland, Russia, Jordan, China and South Africa. A key component to both the site and CD is that it can be read in five languages, designed to put the information in the hands of decision-makers around the world who can relay it to representatives of those in rural areas that would have little access to this type of information otherwise.

The project's progress is expected to be difficult to monitor, but the NAS hopes that this new tool will serve as a guidebook and an additional tactic to help localities and nations achieve the United Nations Millennium Goals - which is to halve the number of people without sanitary drinking water by 2010.

For more information, please visit:
New Web site Targets World's Unsafe Drinking Water

Chinese state media announced that the government will attach electronic identification labels to every barrel of drinking water in its capital after a report that almost half of water used in coolers across Beijing could be tainted.

In July, The Beijing Times reported that almost half of the barreled water sold in Beijing, host of the 2008 Olympics, could be "fake" or not as pure as its manufacturers claim. The bogus water is either tap water or purified water of miscellaneous small brands combined into empty barrels, which is then sealed with quality standard marks.

Twenty-eight major barreled water manufacturers have agreed to take part in an electronic monitoring system, which will vouch for the authenticity of their water. Consumers will know water is pure by the presence of labels which are being produced and applied to water by the Beijing bureau of quality and technical supervision. Ahead of next year's Beijing Olympics, China is trying to overcome a series of health and safety scandals ranging from products as diverse as toys and toothpaste to tires, prescription drugs and food.

For more information on the report, please visit:
China Capital Targets "Fake" Water

The U.S. Centers for Disease control recently reported on an outbreak of eye and respiratory illness at an indoor motel swimming pool in Nebraska. The December 26, 2006 outbreak sickened 24 people and caused a child to be hospitalized in an intensive care unit for severe respiratory symptoms. According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the outbreak likely was the result of exposure to toxic levels of chloramines that had accumulated in the air, highlighting the public health risk of improperly managed public pools.

Chloramines, while not considered health hazards in outdoor swimming pools, can reach dangerous concentrations and pose a substantial health risk to humans in the enclosed space around indoor pools. Inspection of the motel pool revealed multiple state health code violations, including cloudy water, a free chlorine level (0.8 ppm) less than half the minimum, a chloramine level (4.2 ppm) eight times the maximum, and a pH (3.95) approximately half the minimum. The water conditions were favorable for formation of high levels of chloramines, particularly trichloramine, a volatile compound that is readily released into the air.

Swimming pools operators can help prevent outbreaks and illnesses at pools by following these healthy swimming tips:

• Vigilantly monitoring chlorine levels and pH, and making adjustments accordingly;
• Keeping pool cleaning equipment running properly;
• Ensuring proper ventilation of indoor pools; and
• Educating staff and swimmers about recreational water illnesses and developing policies that promote healthy swimming behaviors.

In addition, swimmers and parents should be aware of signals that a pool may not be properly maintained by following these "Sense"-able swimming tips:

• Sight: Look for water that's clean, clear and blue.
• Touch: Check for tiles that feel smooth and clean.
• Smell: Make sure there are no strong odors.
• Sound: Listen for pool cleaning equipment.

To read the full CDC Report, please visit:
Ocular and Respiratory Illness Associated with Indoor Swimming Pools

To learn more about preventing illnesses at swimming pools, please visit:
www.HealthyPools.org

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