Inactivation of bacteria and viruses in human urine depending on temperature and dilution rate

Abstract

Source separation and reuse of human urine can decrease the environmental pollution of recipient waters and reduce the need for artificial mineral fertilisers. However, the reuse of urine introduces another pathogen transmission route that needs to be managed. The inactivation of enteric pathogens and model organisms (Salmonella enterica subspecies I serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium), Enterococcus faecalis, bacteriophages S. typhimurium 28B, MS2 and phi x 174) by urine storage was studied at dilutions (urine:water) 1:0, 1:1 and 1:3 at temperatures 4, 14, 24 and 34 degrees C. A threshold concentration of ammonia was found at approximately 40 mM NH3 (e.g. 2.1 g NH3-N L-1 and pH 8.9 at 24 degrees C), below which all studied organisms, except Salmonella, persisted considerably longer irrespective of treatment temperature, showing that urine dilution rate is of great importance for pathogen inactivation. For Salmonella spp. no threshold level was found in these studies (15 mM NH3 lowest concentration studied). At temperatures below 20 degrees C, bacteriophage reduction was very slow. Therefore, urine stored at temperatures below 20 degrees C carries a high risk of containing viable viruses. The study indicated that the current recommended storage time for urine of 6 months at 20 degrees C or higher is safe for unrestricted use and could probably be shortened, especially for undiluted urine. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Ammonia; Bacteriophages; Enterococcus spp.; inactivation; Pathogens; Salmonella spp.; Sanitisation; Temperature; Urine

Published in

Water Research
2008, volume: 42, number: 15, pages: 4067-4074
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

SLU Authors

• Vinnerås, Björn

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • National Veterinary Institute (SVA)

• Nordin, Annika

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • National Veterinary Institute (SVA)

• Niwagaba, Charles Buregeya

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Makerere University

Global goals (SDG)

SDG3 Good health and well-being
SDG6 Clean water and sanitation
SDG12 Responsible consumption and production

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2008.06.014

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/18997