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Acceptable Microbial Risk
Author(s) -
Haas Charles N.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1996.tb06652.x
Subject(s) - benchmark (surveying) , risk analysis (engineering) , estimation , key (lock) , risk assessment , computer science , business , engineering , computer security , geography , geodesy , systems engineering
Given that it is technically impossible for suppliers to always produce drinking water that is totally free of pathogens, the question of how many pathogens can be tolerated (and how frequently they can be tolerated) arises. In assessing microbial risks associated with drinking water, the benchmark of one infection in 10,000 people per year has often been cited. Estimation of this acceptable risk level occurred in the later 1980s. It is becoming apparent that some key factors used for computing this acceptable risk level are incorrect and that this benchmark may be too stringent. In the writer's viewpoint, the current benchmark must be reconsidered.