tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Hazard Mater
. 2022 Dec 28;446:130690.
doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130690. Online ahead of print.
Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and chemical markers in campus dormitories in an evolving COVID - 19 pandemic
Sanjeeb Mohapatra[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sumedha Bhatia[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Kavindra Yohan Kuhatheva Senaratna[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Mui-Choo Jong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Chun Min Benjamin Lim[SUP] 2 [/SUP], G Reuben Gangesh[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jia Xiong Lee[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Goh Shin Giek[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Callie Cheung[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lin Yutao[SUP] 2 [/SUP], You Luhua[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ng How Yong[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Lim Cheh Peng[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Judith Chui Ching Wong[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Ng Lee Ching[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Karina Yew-Hoong Gin[SUP] 8 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
In this study, we report the implementation of a comprehensive wastewater surveillance testing program at a university campus in Singapore to identify Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected individuals and the usage of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as well as other emerging contaminants (ECs). This unique co-monitoring program simultaneously measured SARS-CoV-2 with chemical markers/contaminants as the COVID-19 situation evolved from pandemic to endemic stages, following a nationwide mass vaccination drive. SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater from campus dormitories were measured using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and corroborated with the number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases confirmed with the antigen rapid test (ART). Consistent results were observed where the concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in wastewater increased proportionately with the number of COVID-19 infected individuals residing on campus. Similarly, a wide range of ECs, including disinfectants and antibiotics, were detected through sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques to establish PPCPs consumption patterns during various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. Statistical correlation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed with few ECs belonging to disinfectants, PCPs and antibiotics. A high concentration of disinfectants and subsequent positive correlation with the number of reported cases on the university campus indicates that disinfectants could serve as a chemical marker during such unprecedented times.
Keywords: Disinfectants; Emerging contaminants; SARS-CoV-2; University campus; Wastewater-based epidemiology.
. 2022 Dec 28;446:130690.
doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130690. Online ahead of print.
Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and chemical markers in campus dormitories in an evolving COVID - 19 pandemic
Sanjeeb Mohapatra[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sumedha Bhatia[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Kavindra Yohan Kuhatheva Senaratna[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Mui-Choo Jong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Chun Min Benjamin Lim[SUP] 2 [/SUP], G Reuben Gangesh[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jia Xiong Lee[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Goh Shin Giek[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Callie Cheung[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lin Yutao[SUP] 2 [/SUP], You Luhua[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ng How Yong[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Lim Cheh Peng[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Judith Chui Ching Wong[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Ng Lee Ching[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Karina Yew-Hoong Gin[SUP] 8 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 36603423
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130690
Abstract
In this study, we report the implementation of a comprehensive wastewater surveillance testing program at a university campus in Singapore to identify Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected individuals and the usage of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as well as other emerging contaminants (ECs). This unique co-monitoring program simultaneously measured SARS-CoV-2 with chemical markers/contaminants as the COVID-19 situation evolved from pandemic to endemic stages, following a nationwide mass vaccination drive. SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater from campus dormitories were measured using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and corroborated with the number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases confirmed with the antigen rapid test (ART). Consistent results were observed where the concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in wastewater increased proportionately with the number of COVID-19 infected individuals residing on campus. Similarly, a wide range of ECs, including disinfectants and antibiotics, were detected through sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques to establish PPCPs consumption patterns during various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. Statistical correlation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed with few ECs belonging to disinfectants, PCPs and antibiotics. A high concentration of disinfectants and subsequent positive correlation with the number of reported cases on the university campus indicates that disinfectants could serve as a chemical marker during such unprecedented times.
Keywords: Disinfectants; Emerging contaminants; SARS-CoV-2; University campus; Wastewater-based epidemiology.