Letter to the Editor. Water safety plans and risk assessment: A novel procedure applied to treated water turbidity and gastrointestinal diseases

We have written a letter communicating concerns about the article, “Water safety plans and risk assessment: A novel procedure applied to treated water turbidity and gastrointestinal diseases” by Muoio et al. published online 13 September 2019 in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. This letter addresses misinterpretations of the literature used in the study justification, including (a) the scope of water safety planning, (b) the inconsistent nature of turbidity-health risk relationships, and (c) the transient nature of risks to water supplies. We conclude that the authors' recommended approach does not adequately substitute for holistic risk planning and management efforts.

Impact/Purpose

We prepared a letter for the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health to address misinterpretations of the scientific literature used to justify a recent study on estimating health risks associated with drinking water turbidity. This serves to enhance ongoing dialogue about good practices for preventive management of human health risks related to drinking water supplies, especially regarding (a) the scope of water safety planning, (b) the inconsistent nature of turbidity-health risk relationships, and (c) the transient nature of risks to water supplies. It should be of interest to environmental and exposure scientists, drinking water managers, and regulators.

Citation

Setty, K., J. Bartram, A. De Roos, AND P. Beaudeau. Letter to the Editor. Water safety plans and risk assessment: A novel procedure applied to treated water turbidity and gastrointestinal diseases. Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS, 229:11345, (2020). [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.113435]

DOI: Letter to the Editor. Water safety plans and risk assessment: A novel procedure applied to treated water turbidity and gastrointestinal diseases