Microbial risk assessment of source-separated urine used in agriculture

Abstract

A screening-level quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) was undertaken for a urine separating sewer-age system. Exposures evaluated included the handling of stored and unstored urine as well as consumption of crops fertilised with urine. Faecal cross-contamination was the source of risk and Campylobacter jejuni, Cryptosporidium parvum and rotavirus were the organisms chosen to represent different groups of enteric pathogens. Accidental ingestion of unstored urine implied a high risk (Pinf = 0.56) for infection from rotavirus whereas the risks for infection from bacteria and protozoa were approximately 1:10 000. After six months storage at 20°C the risk for viral infections by accidental ingestion of 1 ml of urine was <10-3, the suggested acceptable risk benchmark. Ingestion of crops contaminated with urine resulted in risks of <10-5 after a 3-week (<10-7 after 4 weeks) withholding period between fertilising and harvesting.