HiWATE (project)

HiWATE
Acronym: HiWATE Full name: Health impacts of long-term exposure to disinfection by-products in drinking water Duration: Project Start Date: 1 November 2006, Duration: 42 Months Main funding: HiWATE is a Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP) funded under the EU Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6)
Objectives:
The overall aim of the HiWATE Project is to investigate potential human health risks (e.g. cancer, premature births, small for gestational age, semen quality, still birth, congenital anomalies) associated with long-term exposure to low levels of disinfectants (such as chlorine) and disinfectant by-products (DBPs) occurring in water for human consumption and use in the food industry. The study will comprise risk/benefit analyses including quantitative assessments of risk associated with microbial contamination of drinking water versus chemical risk and will compare alternative treatment options. The outcome will be improved risk assessment/management. The study will make use of existing studies/databases and newly collected information. Specific objectives are: I) To determine the DBP composition and levels in drinking water in various regions in Europe II) To identify the determinants of DBPs and develop predictive models III) To assess the risk of small for gestational age, premature birth, semen quality, stillbirth and congenital anomalies in relation to disinfection practices and levels of DBPs, including any gene-environment interactions where possible IV) To assessment the risk of cancer, particularly bladder cancer and colon cancer, in relation to DBP levels, including any gene-environment interactions V) Conduct risk/benefit analyses including quantitative assessments of risk associated with microbial contamination of drinking water versus chemical risk, compare alternative treatment options, and produce burden of disease estimates (e.g. DALYs) VI) To review the water and health policies in Europe, USA and worldwide in relation to water disinfection VII) To assess the policy implications of current disinfection practices
Partners:
Total No. of Partners: 14 Institutions Imperial College London University of the Aegean National Public Health Institute Vytautas Magnus University University of Crete Université de Rennes Municipal Institute of Medical Research Foundation Centre for Genomic Regulation University of Modena and Reggio Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri" Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control Hylobates Consulting Srl IC Consultants Ltd Scarab

HiWATE is a Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP) funded under the EU Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6). The overall aim of this project is to investigate potential human health risks (e.g. cancer, premature births, small for gestational age, semen quality, still birth, congenital anomalies) associated with long-term exposure to low levels of disinfectants (such as chlorine) and disinfectant by-products (DBPs) occurring in water for human consumption and use in the food industry.

HiWATE is coordinated by [Imperial College], and the project webpage can be found at: http://hiwate.imperial-consultants.co.uk/

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