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In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Environmental Chemistry (incl. Atmospheric Chemistry) | Analytical spectrometry | Health services and systems | Health surveillance | Environmental Science and Management | Public Health and Health Services | Environmental Monitoring | Water Treatment Processes | Health Information Systems (incl. Surveillance) | Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified | Occupational and workplace health and safety |
Environmental Health | Expanding Knowledge in the Environmental Sciences | Substance Abuse | Health Policy Evaluation
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 26-06-2020
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-12-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHROMA.2019.460623
Abstract: Wastewater-based epidemiology is a growing research field which provides valuable information on community drug use and chemical exposure. One parameter critical to estimations of drug use is the catchment area population. A population biomarker could be used to provide this information. This study evaluated the analytical suitability of three endogenous biomarkers of human activity: the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) which has previously been proposed and two further candidates, the catecholamine metabolites vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA). An analytical method involving derivatization was developed and validated for two candidates, 5-HIAA and HVA by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry. The best performance was obtained for VMA as the underivatized analyte. The derivatized extracts produced a 100 times better sensitivity. The three neurotransmitter metabolites were evaluated as population biomarkers in wastewater s les. All were stable in s le, not lost upon filtration and showed stable inter-day mass loads over seven days for a metropolitan wastewater treatment plant. When applied to a small community during a festival period, mass loads of both HVA and VMA reflected the increase in the catchment population, whilst 5-HIAA proved to be more variable.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 13-01-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2021.152382
Abstract: This study investigated the occurrence and contribution of plastic particles associated with size fractionated biosolids to the total concentration in biosolids (treated sewage sludge) s les collected from 20 wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) across Australia. This was achieved through sequential size fractionation of biosolids s les to quantify the mass concentration of 7 common plastics across a range of biosolids size fractions, including below 25 μm which has not been assessed in many previous studies. Quantitative analysis was performed by pressurized liquid extraction followed by pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. Of the total quantified plastics (Σ
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2019.01.140
Abstract: Per capita loads of six UV filters were estimated in wastewater influent s les from 36 wastewater treatment plants in Australia collected over a weekend period during the 2016 Australian Census. Of the analysed s les, 99% contained at least one of the target compounds. Phenyl benzimidazole sulfonic acid (PBSA) was the most prevalent (99%), followed by benzophenone 4 (BP4) (97%), benzophenone 3 (BP3) (87%), benzophenone 1 (BP1) (84%), 4-methylbenzylidene c hor (4-MBC) (22%) and isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate (IMC) (1.5%). The highest concentrations were 3780 and 5070 ng L
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-10-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-03-2021
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13268
Abstract: Accurate and timely information about nicotine and alcohol consumption is needed to inform effective policy. Wastewater‐based epidemiology provides an opportunity to quantify consumption, which can complement traditional data collection methods. Wastewater s les were collected from seven wastewater treatment plants on seven consecutive days in three regions of New Zealand during the same week as the national census (6 March 2018). S les were analysed for nicotine and alcohol metabolites using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Detailed catchment maps were developed and per capita consumption calculated. Observed nicotine consumption (mean 1528 ± 412 cigarettes/day/1000 people) was similar to national sales data. Observed alcohol consumption (mean 1155 ± 764 standard drinks/day/1000 people) was lower than estimated using alcohol availability data. Consumption of nicotine and alcohol was generally higher in the Bay of Plenty and Canterbury compared to Auckland, mirroring trends in the New Zealand Health Survey. Intra‐regional differences were observed and the patterns could not be attributed to urbanisation alone. Nicotine consumption was consistent throughout the week whereas alcohol consumption often peaked at the weekend. Nicotine consumption was correlated with neighbourhood‐deprivation. There was little correlation for alcohol. Wastewater‐based epidemiology provides a quantitative dataset that complements traditional methods of investigating nicotine and alcohol consumption. Timing data collection to coincide with the census helps to account for the influence of population mobility when normalising consumption.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 30-11-2021
DOI: 10.3390/JFB12040068
Abstract: Pancreatic β-cell loss and failure with subsequent deficiency of insulin production is the hallmark of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and late-stage type 2 diabetes (T2D). Despite the availability of parental insulin, serious complications of both types are profound and endemic. One approach to therapy and a potential cure is the immunoisolation of β cells via artificial cell microencapsulation (ACM), with ongoing promising results in human and animal studies that do not depend on immunosuppressive regimens. However, significant challenges remain in the formulation and delivery platforms and potential immunogenicity issues. Additionally, the level of impact on key metabolic and disease biomarkers and long-term benefits from human and animal studies stemming from the encapsulation and delivery of these cells is a subject of continuing debate. The purpose of this review is to summarise key advances in this field of islet transplantation using ACM and to explore future strategies, limitations, and hurdles as well as upcoming developments utilising bioengineering and current clinical trials.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2018.06.242
Abstract: Enantiomeric profiling was used in this study to investigate the consumption of hetamine and meth hetamine in regional and urban Southeast Queensland, Australia over a period of seven years. S(+) meth hetamine was predominantly consumed in both urban and regional areas, showing a two and three fold increase in urban and regional catchments respectively between 2011 and 2017. The ratio of hetamine to meth hetamine (AMP/METH) in wastewater reflected the expected excretion profile of meth hetamine consumption indicating the presence of hetamine in this study was primarily the result of meth hetamine metabolism. However, the occasional occurrence of R(-) hetamine in s les containing higher AMP/METH ratios, suggested the consumption of racemic hetamine. The R(-) meth hetamine enantiomer was also identified in several s les, possibly indicative that the phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) synthesis process rather than the more typical reduction of ephedrines was also being used to manufacture meth hetamine. Furthermore, we identified two s les with a significantly different enantiomer ratio for the METH and AMP as well as a much lower AMP/METH concentration ratio suggesting contribution from direct disposal of meth hetamine into the sewer. This study demonstrated that enantiomeric profiling in wastewater-based epidemiology can provide valuable information for evaluating the origin of hetamine in wastewater as either a metabolite of meth hetamine consumption or hetamine itself.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2022.133657
Abstract: Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are known to be significant sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment. In this study, PFAS were measured in the influent of 76 municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving approximately 53% of the Australian population. Of fourteen target PFAS, twelve analytes including six C5-C10 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), four C4-10 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and two fluorotelomer sulfonates (6:2 and 8:2 FTS) were detected. Of these, PFOS, PFHxS and PFHxA had the highest median concentrations. The per capita background release of Σ
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 17-11-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-07-2015
DOI: 10.1002/DTA.1842
Abstract: Wastewater analysis, the chemical analysis of municipal sewage, is fast becoming the technique of choice to monitor changes in community consumption of a range of compounds over time. Currently wastewater analyses which estimate tobacco consumption focus on the major alkaloid nicotine and its urinary metabolite, cotinine. As nicotine is also present in replacement therapies such as nicotine gum and patches, this analysis is not specific and hence does not truly reflect the harmful consumption of tobacco. Two alkaloids - anabasine and anatabine - which are specific to dried tobacco, were assessed as biomarkers for tobacco consumption in wastewater, together with nicotine and cotinine. Consequently, solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods for the detection of anabasine, anatabine, nicotine, and cotinine in municipal wastewater were validated. All compounds were detected in wastewater extracts and found to have satisfactory recovery, accuracy, precision, and stability in wastewater. Daily flow volume and catchment population of the wastewater facility were used to estimate normalized consumption figures of mg/day/1000 people for composite s les collected over one week, in an application of the method. Anabasine and anatabine were found to be suitable wastewater biomarkers of tobacco and can be used to assess tobacco consumption of communities via wastewater analysis. Application of this methodology can be used to collect temporal consumption data which could be used to determine the efficacy of tobacco reduction strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-10-2019
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.14767
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2018.09.348
Abstract: New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are an ever-changing class of compounds designed to imitate the effects of current recreational drugs. Such a erse market is difficult to assess by traditional means, while collected information can become obsolete before it is available. Wastewater-based epidemiology is one technique which can capture information on where and when NPS appear at the community level. The aim of this study was to identify NPS in wastewater s les using a suspect screening approach. Weekend s les were collected from 50 wastewater treatment plants from Australian capital cities and regional areas across all eight States and Territories and screened against a database containing almost 200 NPS. A total of 22 different NPS were found across all regional and metropolitan wastewater treatment plants. Results showed that the most detected compounds were of the cathinone class, with both Alpha-PVP and methcathinone found in every region. In addition, five different synthetic cannabinoids were detected, at least once in half of the regions analysed. Herein, we report the first comprehensive nationwide analysis of NPS and show the utility of liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry screening for delivering spatial information of the NPS being consumed in communities.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 30-07-2019
Abstract: Wastewater studies that provide per capita estimates of consumption (influent) or release (effluent) via wastewater systems rely heavily on accurate population data. This study evaluated the accuracy of Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) reported populations, as well as hydrochemical parameters, against accurate populations from a population census. 104 catchment maps were received from WWTPs, geolocated in geospatial software and overlaid with the smallest area unit of the Australian census, equating to 14.9 million Australians or 64% of the national population. We characterized each catchment for population counts, as well as by age profile, income profile, and education level. For a subset of sites, population estimates using hydrochemical parameters BOD, COD, and dissolved ammonia were evaluated for accuracy against census populations. Population estimates provided by WWTP personnel were on average 18% higher than census-based populations. Furthermore, hydrochemical-based population estimates had high RSD (>44%) for BOD, COD, and ammonium between sites, suggesting that their applicability for use in population estimation may not be appropriate for every WWTP. Catchment age distributions were evaluated and 46% of catchments had skewed age distributions: 6% were skewed older, and 40% were skewed younger. Through this process WWTP catchment populations can be characterized in a way that will enhance the interpretations of per capita estimates.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 14-05-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-02-2018
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.14157
Abstract: Tobacco and alcohol consumption remain priority public health issues world-wide. As participation in population-based surveys has fallen, it is increasingly challenging to estimate accurately the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an alternative approach for estimating substance use at the population level that does not rely upon survey participation. This study examined spatio-temporal patterns in nicotine (a proxy for tobacco) and alcohol consumption in the Australian population via WBE. Daily wastewater s les (n = 164) were collected at 18 selected wastewater treatment plants across Australia, covering approximately 45% of the total population. Nicotine and alcohol metabolites in the s les were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Daily consumption of nicotine and alcohol and its associated uncertainty were computed using Monte Carlo simulations. Nation-wide daily average and weekly consumption of these two substances were extrapolated using ordinary least squares and mixed-effect models. Nicotine and alcohol consumption was observed in all communities. Consumption of these substances in rural towns was three to four times higher than in urban communities. The spatial consumption pattern of these substances was consistent across the monitoring periods in 2014-15. Nicotine metabolites significantly reduced by 14-25% (P = 0.001-0.008) (2014-15) in some catchments. Alcohol consumption remained constant over the studied periods. Strong weekly consumption patterns were observed for alcohol but not nicotine. Nation-wide, the daily average consumption per person (aged 15-79 years) was estimated at approximately 2.5 cigarettes and 1.3-2.0 standard drinks (weekday-weekend) of alcohol. These estimates were close to the sale figure and apparent consumption, respectively. Wastewater-based epidemiology is a feasible method for objectively evaluating the geographic, temporal and weekly profiles of nicotine and alcohol consumption in different communities nationally.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2020
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 22-09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2020
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 21-01-2022
Abstract: Wastewater-based epidemiology is a potential complementary technique for monitoring the use of performance- and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs), such as anabolic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), within the general population. Assessing in-sewer transformation and degradation is critical for understanding uncertainties associated with wastewater analysis. An electrospray ionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method for the quantification of 59 anabolic agents in wastewater influent was developed. Limits of detection and limits of quantification ranged from 0.004 to 1.56 μg/L and 0.01 to 4.75 μg/L, respectively. Method performance was acceptable for linearity (
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 16-05-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVINT.2019.01.053
Abstract: Monitoring smoking prevalence is key to assessing responses to tobacco control measures, and evaluating associated health and economic costs. Estimates of tobacco consumed in Australia are based on various data sources - tax excise clearances, sales, and self-report surveys. There are limitations with each of these data sources which makes triangulation of cigarette use estimates by multiple methods important. Wastewater-based epidemiology, the systematic s ling and analysis of wastewater, is now a routine method to measure and monitor human exposure to a range of chemicals. This study provides a high frequency long-term temporal assessment of exposure to nicotine, the main addictive component of tobacco, using this approach. 291 archived wastewater s les collected from a regional city catchment from 2010 to 2017 were analysed for human-specific nicotine metabolites (cotinine and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine), to estimate per capita nicotine use. Temporal trends in nicotine use determined by wastewater-based epidemiology were compared with national sales and survey data. Wastewater analysis showed a 25% reduction in the mean number of cigarette equivalents consumed from 2010 to 2017, representing a 3% annual decline. These findings are in good agreement with estimates based on surveys and sales data, indicating annual declines of 5% and 4%, respectively. Findings of this study demonstrate WBE to be a relatively cost-effective and objective approach to reporting long-term data on nicotine consumption. When combined with alternative data sources, and valuable sociodemographic information of surveys, wastewater-based epidemiology helps to refine our estimates and understanding of the total impacts of smoking.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVINT.2022.107282
Abstract: Metformin is the most widely used drug to treat type 2 diabetes. Monitoring spatial patterns of metformin use could provide new insights into treatment of type 2 diabetes and the distribution among populations. This study applied a wastewater-based epidemiological (WBE) approach to estimate metformin use in different populations across Australia and compared these estimates with traditional approaches of surveys and prescription data. Twenty-four-hour influent s les were collected from 75 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across Australia in 2016 and analysed for metformin. Metformin was detected in all s les ranging in concentration from 8.2 to 191 µg/L (median 58 µg/L). Concentrations were converted to population-weighted average consumption at the national level, resulting in an average consumption of 28.6 g/day/1000 people across Australia, which was within 7% of estimates from national prescription statistics. In addition, results for five out of seven states had an estimated prevalence of type 2 diabetes within 20% compared to the traditional epidemiology surveys. Spatial patterns were also observed between urban and rural settings, with higher consumption rates of metformin found in Major Cities (22.5 ± 10.9 g/d/1000 people) and Inner Regional cities (25.4 ± 13.4 g/d/1000 people) than in Outer Regional (17.0 ± 8.1 g/d/1000 people) and Remote areas (15.1 ± 7.4 g/d/1000 people). Consumption estimates were also correlated against socioeconomic factors of the specific catchment areas. Greater metformin use was correlated with populations of lower education and income levels, while positive correlations were found between metformin consumption and consumption of allopurinol, caffeine and venlafaxine. Our study provides more evidence on the distribution of metformin use across Australia, which can be used to develop public health strategies to reduce the overall burden of type 2 diabetes in specific regions.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.DRUGALCDEP.2018.02.030
Abstract: The societal impact of drug use is well known. An ex le is when drug-intoxicated drivers increase the burden on policing and healthcare services. This work presents the correlation of wastewater analysis (using UHPLC-MS/MS) and positive roadside drug testing results for meth hetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymeth hetamine (MDMA) and cannabis from December 2011-December 2016 in South Australia. Meth hetamine and MDMA showed similar trends between the data sources with matching increases and decreases, respectively. Cannabis was relatively steady based on wastewater analysis, but the roadside drug testing data started to erge in the final part of the measurement period. The ability to triangulate data as shown here validates both wastewater analysis and roadside drug testing. This suggests that changes in overall population drug use revealed by WWA is consistent and proportional with changes in drug-driving behaviours. The results show that, at higher levels of drug use as measured by wastewater analysis, there is an increase in drug driving in the community and therefore more strain on health services and police.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 16-09-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-05-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-07-2021
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.15631
Abstract: To test if there was a reduction in alcohol consumption in wastewater s les in the Northern Territory of Australia after the implementation of a minimum unit alcohol price policy (MUP) in October 2018. Between August 2016 and February 2020, wastewater s les were collected across 66 sites in the Northern Territory and all other states and territories in Australia. S les were collected every 2 months in capital cities and every 4 months in regional places during this period. Overall, 4917 s les were taken (2816 before MUP and 2101 after). The number of standard drinks per 1000 people per day in the respective catchment areas was estimated based on the concentration of an alcohol‐specific metabolite, ethyl sulphate in the s les (using the excretion factor of ethyl sulphate, the flow of wastewater entering the wastewater treatment plants and the population of each wastewater catchment). Results from a linear mixed model showed that there was a large drop in alcohol consumption immediately after the MUP in Northern Territory [estimated drop = 1231, 99% confidence interval (CI) = 830, 1633 38.75%]. There was no significant drop in all other states/territories except for Queensland, which showed a significant but much smaller drop (estimated drop: 310 99% CI = 114, 550). One year after the MUP, the drop narrowed to 520 (99% CI = 189, 851) and was no longer statistically significant in February 2020 (15 months after MUP estimated drop = 283, 99% CI = −114, 681). Per‐capita consumption of alcohol appears to have decreased substantially in the Northern Territory of Australia immediately after the implementation of a minimum unit price but consumption steadily recovered and almost returned to the pre‐MUP consumption level after 15 months.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2018
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 11-07-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1039/D0EM00312C
Abstract: Increased production and use of plastics has resulted in growth in the amount of plastic debris accumulating in the environment, potentially fragmenting into smaller pieces.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 10-02-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-06-2020
DOI: 10.1002/DTA.2874
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2013.11.075
Abstract: Wastewater analysis has the potential to provide objective information on community drug use. Introducing a population biomarker (PB) in the s le analysis may significantly reduce errors in the back-calculation associated with population estimation and wastewater volume measurement. A number of potential PBs have been suggested but no systematic evaluation has been conducted so far. This study evaluated the eligibility of the previously suggested PB candidates (creatinine, cholesterol, coprostanol and cotinine) as well as three new ones (cortisol, androstenedione and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)) using five criteria. We assessed the quantification method, affinity to particulate matter and stability of candidates in wastewater, as well as the constancy of inter-day excretion and correlation between excretion and census population. All PB candidates were quantifiable in wastewater. Cholesterol and coprostanol were eliminated from further consideration due to affinity to particulate matters in the wastewater. Creatinine, cortisol and androstenedione were disqualified for stability reasons. On a population scale, both cotinine and 5-HIAA were excreted (RSD=8.01 ± 1.13% and 10.20 ± 0.89%, respectively) at a constant rate and concentrations of each correlated well with the census population (r=0.9809 and 0.9442, respectively). Overall, both cotinine and 5-HIAA are eligible PBs, but the neurotransmitter metabolite 5-HIAA may be more suitable for international comparisons.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 10-08-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2015.07.078
Abstract: Levels of community drug use are usually described by national surveys data relied upon by decision makers in health and law enforcement. In recent years the analysis of wastewater for drugs and their metabolites has become prominent. Both methods convey unique drug use information. This paper demonstrates differences arising from the two approaches, using meth hetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymeth hetamine (MDMA) and cocaine data from the state of South Australia. The proportion of people using each drug, obtained from three prominent drug surveys, was compared with estimates of total community drug use derived by wastewater analysis. Temporal trends were compared for available years of the surveys and wastewater analysis from 2010 to 2013. Wastewater results showed meth hetamine to be the most prevalent stimulant in Adelaide, South Australia, with an average of 24.4±1.7 doses per day per 1000 inhabitants for 2013, while consumption of MDMA and cocaine were much lower at 0.52±0.12 and 0.42±0.06 doses per day per 1000 inhabitants, respectively. Survey data typically had MDMA as the most used stimulant on a proportion of the population basis. The difference in magnitude of drug use between MDMA and meth hetamine was also less apparent. Temporal trends of the proportion of the population using a drug by surveys did not generally reflect total use within the community which was observed by wastewater analysis. Survey data are excellent for describing users demographically. However, discrepancies between the proportion of the population who are users and the magnitude of drug use can lead to misrepresentation of the overall scale of use. The results from this study indicate meth hetamine was used to a much greater extent than suggested by the surveys. Together, wastewater analysis and survey data give a comprehensive view of the drug problem enabling more informed decisions on drug policy.
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 07-10-2019
Abstract: To date, wastewater-based epidemiology has focused on reporting drug and pharmaceutical consumption patterns by analyzing domestic wastewater. Here we explore the relationships between chemicals in wastewater and social, demographic, and economic parameters of the respective populations. We show the extent to which consumption of chemicals such as opioids and illicit drugs are associated with sociodemographics. We also examine chemicals that reflect in iduals’ consumption of food components in wastewater and show that disparities in diet are associated with educational level. Our study shows that chemicals in wastewater reflect the social, demographic, and economic properties of the respective populations and highlights the potential value of wastewater in studying the sociodemographic determinants of population health.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 19-10-2023
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 10-02-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-05-2019
DOI: 10.1002/DTA.2591
Abstract: Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic compounds prohibited due to their performance-enhancing characteristics. The use of these substances is known to cause health-related issues, which highlights the importance of being able to evaluate the scale of consumption by the general population. However, most available research on the analysis of anabolic steroids is focused on animals and athletes in connection with doping. The potential of wastewater-based epidemiology as an intelligence tool for the assessment of community level use of anabolic steroids is presented herein. A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the analysis of 10 anabolic-androgenic steroids and 14 endogenous hormones in influent wastewater. The validated method was applied to sixteen 24-hour composite wastewater influent s les that were collected over a period of five years from two wastewater treatment plants in Queensland, Australia. Nine investigated compounds were found to be present at concentrations between 14 and 611 ng L
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2016.04.183
Abstract: Analysis of municipal wastewater for drug metabolites can reveal the scale of drug use within communities. An Australian city with a population of 1.2million inhabitants was assessed for 4 stimulants: cocaine, meth hetamine, 3.4-methylenedioxymeth hetamine (MDMA) and hetamine 6 opioids: codeine, morphine, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone and methadone 11 new psychoactive substances (NPS) benzylpiperazine (BZP), trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP), methcathinone, methylone, mephedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), alpha pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP), paramethoxy hetamine (PMA), 25C-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25I-NBOMe and cannabis, for up to four years between December 2011 and December 2015. Temporal trends revealed increasing usage rates of meth hetamine, cocaine, oxycodone, and fentanyl, while decreasing rates of use were observed for MDMA, BZP and methylone. Use of other opioids and cannabis was generally stable across years, while use of new psychoactive substances fluctuated without an apparent direction. Opioids and cannabis were used at a consistent level through the course of the week, while use of stimulants and some NPS increased on the weekend. Seasonal differences in use were observed for MDMA and cannabis (p$_ _$lt .05) where, on average, MDMA use was approximately 90% higher in December than in other months and cannabis use was approximately 45% lower in each February. Residual month-to-month variability measures on trend-free data showed NPS use had higher variability than the stimulants and opioids. Frequent wastewater s ling and analysis over prolonged periods has yielded valuable insights into long-term drug use trends, in some instances revealed important within-year trends, and demonstrated the differing patterns of use of drugs on weekends compared to weekdays.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-11-2023
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.16083
Abstract: From 1 February 2018, codeine was rescheduled from an over‐the‐counter (OTC) to a prescription‐only medicine in Australia. We used wastewater‐based epidemiology to measure changes in population codeine consumption before and after rescheduling. We analysed 3703 wastewater s les from 48 wastewater treatment plants, taken between August 2016 and August 2019. Our s les represented 10.6 million people, 45% of the Australian population in state capitals and regional areas in each state or territory. Codeine concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and converted to per‐capita consumption estimates using the site daily wastewater volume, catchment populations and codeine excretion kinetics. Average per‐capita consumption of codeine decreased by 37% nationally immediately after the rescheduling in February 2018 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 35.3–39.4%] and substantially in all states between 24 and 51% (95% CI = 22.4–27.0% and 41.8–59.4%). The decrease was sustained at the lower level to August 2019. Locations with least pharmacy access decreased by 51% (95% CI = 41.7–61.7%), a greater decrease than 37% observed for those with greater pharmacy access (95% CI = 35.1–39.4%). Regional areas decreased by a smaller margin to cities (32 versus 38%, 95% CI = 30.2–34.1% versus 34.9–40.4%, respectively) from a base per‐capita usage approximately 40% higher than cities. Wastewater analysis shows that codeine consumption in Australia decreased by approximately 37% following its rescheduling as a prescription‐only medicine in 2018. Wastewater‐based epidemiology can be used to evaluate changes in population pharmaceutical consumption in responses to changes in drug scheduling.
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 07-2017
DOI: 10.5694/MJA17.00137
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2018.12.167
Abstract: In this study, 24-hour composite wastewater s les were collected from a wastewater treatment plant of New Zealand with parallel secondary treatment units. The aim was to investigate the occurrence, removal, and consumption of 13 drugs of abuse (DOAs) including illicit drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and their metabolites. The filtered s les were analysed through direct injection on LC-MS/MS. Ethyl sulfate, one of the major metabolites of alcohol, was detected at the highest concentration (mean = 8300 ng/L) in wastewater influent. The mean concentrations of meth hetamine and hydroxycotinine in the influent were found to be 935 ng/L and 5000 ng/L, respectively. Amphetamine (383 ng/L) and cocaine (286 ng/L) were detected at the highest concentrations in the effluent. The removal efficiency of the treatment plant varied for DOAs: >99% for morphine, ethyl sulfate, and hydroxycotinine and <50% for methadone and 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP). Primary treatment did not show any significant removal of DOAs while the removal efficiencies of total monitored DOAs by Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) and Bardenpho processes were found to be similar (~95% removal). The population was estimated using hydrochemical parameters and human urine biomarkers and showed good agreement with wastewater treatment plant's estimates. Weekday-weekend variation in the consumption of alcohol and meth hetamine was found to be significant, with a higher estimated consumption during the weekends. Monitored DOAs in influent were present at highest concentrations during summer (23 μg/L), at low concentrations during winter (17 μg/L), and at lowest concentrations during heavy rainfall event (11 μg/L), possibly due to dilution. The population normalised mass loads of DOAs were found to correlate with their metabolites, and morphine was found to correlate with nicotine metabolites.
Publisher: Briefland
Date: 18-05-2022
DOI: 10.5812/IJPBS-120159
Abstract: Background: Misophonia is a disorder in which people show negative emotions such as anger, disgust, and anxiety about certain sounds, such as mouth and nose sounds, as well as some repetitive sounds. This disorder has a high prevalence and causes many problems for patients. Objectives: This study aimed to examine and compare the effectiveness of two therapies, including online group-mindfulness and acceptance‐based therapy (OG-MACT) and online group-cognitive-behavioral therapy (OG-CBT) in patients with misophonia. Methods: This study was a two-group random assignment pretest-posttest design. Thirty-eight participants were recruited using convenience s ling and randomly assigned to OG-CBT (n = 19) and OG-MACT (n = 19) groups. The statistical population included patients with misophonia (a score higher than seven on the Misophonia Questionnaire) referred to the Tehran Institute of Psychiatry from October to December 2019. They were asked to respond to online self-report questionnaires evaluating misophonia, distress tolerance, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and stress scale in three stages, including before treatment sessions, one week after the end of sessions, and during a three-month follow-up. Results: The difference in the mean scores of the scales at different times did not differ according to the type of treatment group (OG-CBT versus OG-MACT). The results showed that the effect of time was significant on misophonia scores. Over time, this finding also applies to depression, anxiety, and stress subscales in the distress tolerance questionnaire. However, there was no significant difference in the quality of life over time. The changes in misophonia were clinically significant in 53% of OG-MACT members and 69% of OG-CBT members. Discussion: According to the findings, the two online group therapies of CBT and MACT effectively reduced the symptoms of misophonia.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2019.135891
Abstract: Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), the per capita normalised measurement of drugs, chemicals or metabolites in wastewater influent, relies on s ling and quantitative analysis to evaluate temporal and spatial trends of chemical consumption. Continuous, high-resolution, flow proportional composite s ling is optimal for accurate representations of chemical mass loads, but is rarely implemented, with conventional autos lers providing relatively low frequency time or volume proportional s les. However, due to equipment or resource constraints at many wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), even this may not be feasible. Passive s ling may provide an alternative s ling strategy. To investigate this, s lers comprising hollow, cylindrical Microporous Polyethylene Tubes (MPTs) containing polymeric sorbent phases of Strata-X and Strata-X in agarose were simultaneously deployed in a municipal WWTP influent stream. S lers were extracted, analysed and evaluated for a range of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) after 4, 7, 15, 21, and 29 day deployments. The MPT s lers were calibrated against 24-hour time proportional composite grab s les that were collected in parallel. Diffusion through the MPT governed uptake, reducing or eliminating the influence of external flow rates that may fluctuate unpredictably in a WWTP environment. Calibration data for six illicit drugs and fourteen PPCPs, including meth hetamine, benzoylecgonine, MDMA, codeine and carbamazepine, demonstrated linear accumulation in the s lers (R
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-11-2019
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.14852
Abstract: To compare long-term trends in wastewater data with other indicators of stimulant use in three locations and to test the reliability of estimates based on 1 week of s ling. Comparison of trends in quantities ('loads') of stimulants or their metabolites in wastewater with trends in other indicators of stimulant use (e.g. treatment, police, population survey data). Populations in Oslo (Norway), South-East Queensland (Australia) and Eindhoven (the Netherlands). Wastewater data were modelled for MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymeth hetamine), benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine), hetamine and meth hetamine in Oslo benzoylecgonine in Eindhoven and meth hetamine in South-East Queensland. Choice of stimulants modelled in each region was primarily determined by availability of useable data. In Oslo, wastewater data, driving under the influence of drugs statistics and seizure data all suggested increasing MDMA use between 2009 and 2017. In South-East Queensland, there was an estimated 31.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 29.4-32.9%] annual increase in daily loads of meth hetamine in wastewater between 2009 and 2016, compared with a 14.1% (95% CI = 10.9-17.3%) annual increase in seizures. Some of the increase in wastewater can be explained by increased purity. In Eindhoven, there was no evidence of a change in cocaine consumption from wastewater, but a reduction was observed in numbers in treatment for cocaine use from 2012 to 2017. In approximately half the cases examined in Oslo, credible intervals around estimates of annual average loads from a regression model versus estimates based on a single week of s ling did not overlap. Long-term trends in loads of stimulants in wastewater appear to be broadly consistent with trends in other indicators of stimulant use in three locations. Wastewater data should be interpreted alongside epidemiological indicators and purity data. One week of wastewater s ling may not be sufficient for valid inference about drug consumption.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1039/C9EW00428A
Abstract: Plastics accumulate in the natural environment due to their durability and low recycling volumes.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Date: 13-01-2020
Abstract: Rotator cuff related shoulder pain has been associated with factors from multiple dimensions such as strength changes, psychosocial measures, comorbidities and level of education. However, to date little research has been undertaken to evaluate which factors explain the greatest variance in pain and disability levels in people with rotator cuff related shoulder pain. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate which multidimensional examination findings were associated with higher pain and disability in a primary care cohort with rotator cuff related shoulder pain. This was an exploratory cross-sectional cohort study. Sixty-seven participants with rotator cuff related shoulder pain were assessed for: pain intensity, disability demographic, psychological, social and lifestyle characteristics, and isometric strength of shoulder internal and external rotator muscles. Univariable associations between pain intensity/disability and each variable were assessed using linear regression. Variables with univariable associations ( p 0.1) were entered into backwards stepwise multivariable regression models. The multivariable model for pain intensity included sleep and perceived persistence and explained 46.5% of the variance (37.6% uniquely by sleep, 5.4% uniquely by perceived persistence). The multivariable model for disability included sleep and sex and explained 26.8% of the variance (4.5% shared by predictors, 16.4% uniquely by sleep, 5.9% uniquely by sex). Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain and disability are associated with sleep disturbance, perceived symptom persistence and sex. Rotator cuff related shoulder pain may be considered a multidimensional disorder. Clinicians need to evaluate sleep and perceived symptom persistence in people with rotator cuff related shoulder pain. Future research may examine whether management strategies for RCRSP directed towards these factors afford improved treatment outcomes.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVINT.2018.12.003
Abstract: Wastewater contains a large range of biological and chemical markers of human activity and exposures. Through systematic collection and analysis of these markers within wastewater s les it is possible to measure the public health of whole populations. The analysis of effluent and biosolids can also be used to understand the release of chemicals from wastewater treatment plants into the environment. Wastewater analysis and comparison with catchment specific data (e.g. demographics) however remains largely unexplored. This manuscript describes a national wastewater monitoring study that combines influent, effluent and biosolids s ling with the Australian Census. An archiving program allows estimation of per capita exposure to and consumption of chemicals, public health information, as well as per capita release of chemicals into the environment. The paper discusses the study concept, critical steps in setting up a coordinated national approach and key logistical and other considerations with a focus on lessons learnt and future applications. The unique combination of archived s les, analytical data and associated census-derived population data will provide a baseline dataset that has wide and potentially increasing applications across many disciplines that include public health, epidemiology, criminology, toxicology and sociology.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.DRUGALCDEP.2019.107795
Abstract: Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) provides complementary information to traditional self-report methods for estimating substance use within a population. WBE was applied to estimate the consumption of alcohol in an Australian rural city (population estimated 100,000) over 6 years. A total of 352 wastewater s les were analysed from a wastewater treatment plant located in South-East Queensland, Australia, from 2012 to 2017. The concentration of an alcohol biomarker, ethyl sulphate, was quantified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and used to estimate per-capita consumption. The WBE results were compared with alcohol consumption estimates based on national taxation data and self-reported national survey data in Australia. Average daily alcohol consumption estimated by WBE was between 19 and 30 mL erson/day for the population aged 15 years and older during the six-year period. Alcohol consumption decreased 4 % per annum on average over the study period. Our data showed higher rates of consumption on weekends and public holidays when compared to consumption between Monday and Thursday. The comparative trend of WBE data was consistent with the national alcohol survey and taxation statistics on alcoholic beverages over the same period. A clear decline in alcohol consumption in the catchment was observed during the s ling period, which reflected similar changes in consumption from taxation statistics and self-report survey data. Expected variations in weekly consumption and public holidays were also identified. This study demonstrates the potential of WBE for long-term monitoring of alcohol consumption in evaluating the effectiveness of local and national alcohol policies and prevention programs.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 29-07-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2019.115068
Abstract: Wastewater contains a wealth of information about the population who contribute to it including biological and chemical markers of human activity and exposures. F
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 20-05-2021
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 26-12-2019
Start Date: 02-2024
End Date: 02-2027
Amount: $259,608.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 10-2019
End Date: 07-2023
Amount: $192,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 06-2021
End Date: 06-2025
Amount: $563,412.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity