title: The origin and quality of water for human consumption: the health of the population residing in the Matanza-Riachuelo river basin area in Greater Buenos Aires.
abstract: The aim of this study is to analyze the origin and quality of water used for consumption in a sample of households in Matanza-Riachuelo river basin area in Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. The results of drinking water by source indicated that 9% of water samples from the public water system, 45% of bottled water samples and 80% of well water samples were not safe for drinking due to excess content of coliforms, Escherichia coli or nitrates. Individuals living in households where well water is the main source of drinking water have a 55% higher chance of suffering a water-borne disease; in the cases of diarrheas, the probability is 87% higher and in the case of dermatitis, 160% higher. The water for human consumption in this region should be provided by centralized sources that assure control over the quality of the water.
authors.affiliation: Graduate in Economics. Doctor in Economics with specialization in Statistics and Econometrics. CONICET Researcher, Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad (CIECS-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina. montemale@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Malena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monteverde
authors.affiliation: Hydraulic engineer. Director, Research Development and Teaching Unit-Environmental Management (UIDD-GA). Ordinary Adjunct Professor, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cipponeri
authors.affiliation: Hydraulic engineer. United Nations Consultant. Adviser, Unidad de Investigación Desarrollo y Docencia-Gestión Ambiental (UIDD-GA), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Angelaccio
authors.affiliation: Doctor in Chemical Sciences. Professor of the Toxicology Chair, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. CONICET Principal Researcher, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos (CIDCA-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianuzzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001118:Argentina; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology / Q000592:standards*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D045483:Rivers; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060753:Water Quality; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D009566:Nitrates
keywords: Environment; Water Quality; Waterborne Diseases; Argentina