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Project title

Tracking & assessing Risk from Antibiotic Resistant genes using Chip technology in surface water TRACE

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Enda Cummins

Project Abstract

Given the serious public health threat posed by Antimicrobial Resistant Organisms (ARO), it is important to investigate the potential role of surface water in amplifying the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance and to assess the potential risk to human health. Research into the occurrence, fate, effect, and risk associated with the presence of ARO in such environments and the impact on human health is urgently needed to inform policy decisions. Work Package 6 will develop a probabilistic modelling approach to evaluate the human health risk from ARO in surface water. This WP will development a model to estimate the probability of occurrence and level of ARO in selected surface water systems. Risk analysis software (e.g. @Risk) will be used to characterise model input uncertainty and variability, while using Monte Carlo Simulation techniques to generate probability density distributions of relevant outputs (i.e. human exposure estimates). The model will focus on selected locations and selected ARO as identified during the project and estimate the probability of human exposure to ARO through recreational water and environmental exposure routes (e.g. irrigation). The model will be used to conduct sensitivity and scenario analysis to identify target areas for risk reduction activities along the continuum. This WP will result in the production of one PhD thesis, at least three peer reviewed papers, and several conference presentations. It will increase capacity and strengthen links between the institutions involved, and inform policy related to the management of Antibiotic Resistance Organisms (ARO) in water systems. The results will inform recommendations to sanitary and/or regulatory authorities on potential intervention strategies to reduce human exposure to ARO. It will help prediction of the environmental behaviour of ARO in surface water, assess the processes encountered and the transfer of these contaminants between various environmental compartments (e.g. from beach water to humanexposure

Grant Approved

�113,950.01

Research Hub

Healthy Environment

Research Theme

Safe water

Start Date

02/01/2015

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/01/2018