Project Page Views: [ 711 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Hospital effluent: impact on the microbial environment and risk to human health? |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Martin Cormican |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.27905, -9.05794 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/10/2008 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/10/2011 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Wastewater; Sludge; Antimicrobial Resistance; Hospital Effluent |
| Project Abstract | Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health problem. The contribution the environment makes to emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance is an area of increasing concern. This project will detect and quantify antimicrobial resistant E. coli and quinolone residues in hospital effluent, urban wastewater, sewage sludge and biosolids. The impact of secondary wastewater treatment and sludge treatment processes in removing antimicrobial resistant E. coli and quinolone/fluoroquinolone residues from wastewater will be assessed. This information will contribute to the development of a risk assessment model of human exposure to antimicrobial resistant E. coli and quinolone/fluoroquinolone residues related to the discharge of hospital effluent. In terms of academic output, this project will result in the production of one Ph.D. thesis, at least four peer reviewed papers, and several conference presentations. This research will increase capacity and strengthen links between the institutions involved, and inform policy related to the management of hospital discharges, urban waste water treatment, and use of sewage sludge/biosolids in agriculture. Recommendations to sanitary and/or regulatory authorities on potential intervention strategies will be provided. |