Title
Estimation of the consumption of cold tap water for microbiological risk assessment: An overview of studies and statistical analysis of data
Author
Mons, M.N.
van der Wielen, J.M.L.
Blokker, E.J.M.
Sinclair, M.I.
Hulshof, K.F.A.M.
Dangendorf, F.
Hunter, P.R.
Medema, G.J.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2007
Abstract
The volume of cold tap water consumed is an essential element in quantitative microbial risk assessment. This paper presents a review of tap water consumption studies. Study designs were evaluated and statistical distributions were fitted to water consumption data from The Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany and Australia. We conclude that the diary is to be preferred for collecting water consumption data. If a diary is not feasible, a 24 h recall would be the best alternative, preferably repeated at least once. From the studies evaluated, the mean daily consumption varies from 0.10 L to 1.55 L. No conclusions could be drawn regarding the effects of season, age and gender on tap water consumption. Physical activity, yearly income and perceived health status were reported to influence water consumption. Comparison of the different statistical probability distribution functions of the datasets demonstrated that the Poisson distribution performed better than the lognormal distribution as suggested by Roseberry and Burmaster. For quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) it is recommended to use country-specific consumption data and statistical distributions, if available. If no country specific data are available we recommend to use the Australian distribution data from the Melbourne diary study (Poisson, λ = 3.49 glasses/d) as a conservative estimate. © IWA Publishing 2007.
Subject
Safety
Food and Chemical Risk Analysis
Drinking water consumption
Microbiological risk assessment
Statistical distribution functions
tap water
drinking water
health risk
microbiology
probability
risk assessment
statistical analysis
age
Australia
fluid intake
gender
Germany
health status
income
microbial contamination
Netherlands
physical activity
Poisson distribution
probability
quantitative analysis
review
risk assessment
season
statistical analysis
statistical distribution
United Kingdom
Australia
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Drinking
Europe
Humans
Questionnaires
Risk Assessment
Water Microbiology
Water Supply
Australasia
Australia
Benelux
Central Europe
Eurasia
Europe
Germany
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Western Europe
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:ce35db83-6415-408e-af6c-71a2df8f9a81
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2007.141
TNO identifier
240256
ISSN
1477-8920
Source
Journal of Water and Health, 5 (SUPPL. 1), 151-170
Document type
article