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Review
. 2023 Sep 22:16:11786361231201598.
doi: 10.1177/11786361231201598. eCollection 2023.

SARS-CoV-2 Burden in Wastewater and its Elimination Using Disinfection

Prashanna Koirala  1 , Sandesh Dhakal  2 , Bikram Malla  2 , Archana Ghimire  3 , Mohammad Ataullah Siddiqui  4 , Prabin Dawadi  2
Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2 Burden in Wastewater and its Elimination Using Disinfection

Prashanna Koirala et al. Microbiol Insights. .

Abstract

Background: Pathogenic viruses have been abundant and diverse in wastewater, reflecting the pattern of infection in humans. Human feces, urine, and perhaps other washouts that frequently circulate in sewage systems may contaminate wastewater with SARS-CoV-2. It's crucial to effectively disinfect wastewater since poorly handled wastewater could put the population at risk of infection.

Aims: To emphasize the presence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage (wastewater) through viral shedding from the patients to detect the virus in the population using wastewater-based epidemiology. Also, to effectively manage the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the spread of the virus in the population using disinfectants is highlighted.

Methods: We evaluated articles from December 2019 to August 2022 that addressed SARS-CoV-2 shedding in wastewater and surveillance through wastewater-based epidemiology. We included the papers on wastewater disinfection for the elimination of SARS-CoV-2. Google Scholar, PubMed, and Research4Life are the three electronic databases from which all of the papers were retrieved.

Results: It is possible for viral shedding to get into the wastewater. The enumeration of viral RNA from it can be used to monitor virus circulation in the human community. SARS-CoV-2 can be removed from wastewater by using modern disinfection techniques such as sodium hypochlorite, liquid chlorine, chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid, and ultraviolet light.

Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 burden estimates at the population level can be obtained via longitudinal examination of wastewater, and SARS-CoV-2 can be removed from the wastewater through disinfection.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; disinfection; sewage; viral shedding; wastewater.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Comparison in the selection of various disinfection technologies for hospital wastewater based on different factors and conditions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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