Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2010MD229B

Occupational and Community Exposure to Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria and Antimicrobials Present in Reclaimed Wastewater

Institute: Maryland
Year Established: 2010 Start Date: 2010-03-01 End Date: 2010-11-01
Total Federal Funds: $6,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $13,064

Principal Investigators: Allen Davis

Project Summary: As using reclaimed wastewater for irrigation becomes increasingly common, irrigation workers and community members could be exposed to antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and antimicrobials. I plan to evaluate the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE), and antimicrobial residues in reclaimed wastewater used for irrigation, and occupational and community exposures to these agents. Culture methods and polymerase chain reaction will be used to analyze environmental and biological samples. I will analyze antimicrobials with isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. My project will assess health risks from using reclaimed wastewater, which is becoming a more common water source.