Peaks
06-06-2003, 07:37
The article, entitled "Germs can lurk in water bottles", ran in Tuesday's
Boston Globe, in the Science / Health section. You can find it in its
entirety at
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/154/science/Germs_can_lurk_in_water_bottle
s+.shtml.
I especially liked the practical suggestions at the end, to wit:
"For hikers, [Ryan] Jordan[, a researcher at Montana State University's
Center for Biofilm Engineering,] recommends these 'best practices.' To
gather water, find a spot where you do not disturb the sediment, submerge
your closed water bottle, open it under the surface, and let water flow in
from the middle of the water column. Close the bottle underwater and lift it
out. That way, you start with biofilm-free water, which you can filter for
drinking. [Biofilm: "the coating on rocks and sediment at the bottom of
streams and ponds, as well as the thin surface film on standing water."
It's laden with microbes.]
"To prevent biofilms from growing on the filter, [which they often do,]
back-flush the filter every few days to wash out the bacteria. Scrubbing the
filter's outer element with a toothbrush is even more effective.
"Jordan himself doesn't use filters. He relies on chlorine dioxide drops,
which unlike iodine pills can kill giardia and cryptosporidium even in
biofilms. (Chlorine dioxide has long been used in municipal water treatment,
but is a relatively new product for back-country use.)
"Surprisingly, the primary route of intestinal infection on the trail is not
water, Jordan said, but rather the link between not washing hands after
going to the bathroom, and handling food. He recommends alcohol hand gels
rather than soap: 'Soap is too impractical to use properly and alcohol gels
kill fecal bacteria more effectively.'
"Back-country dishwashing can become very elaborate, but Jordan has these
suggestions: Don't wash dishes! Just wipe them clean and dry them out.
Bacteria can't live long on a dry surface, and putting them in the sun for
an hour will disinfect them. Boiling water for your next freeze-dried meal
will sterilize anything that's left in the cooking pot.
"All the more time to lie back and enjoy the stars -- or whatever brought
you so far from indoor plumbing to begin with."
Boston Globe, in the Science / Health section. You can find it in its
entirety at
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/154/science/Germs_can_lurk_in_water_bottle
s+.shtml.
I especially liked the practical suggestions at the end, to wit:
"For hikers, [Ryan] Jordan[, a researcher at Montana State University's
Center for Biofilm Engineering,] recommends these 'best practices.' To
gather water, find a spot where you do not disturb the sediment, submerge
your closed water bottle, open it under the surface, and let water flow in
from the middle of the water column. Close the bottle underwater and lift it
out. That way, you start with biofilm-free water, which you can filter for
drinking. [Biofilm: "the coating on rocks and sediment at the bottom of
streams and ponds, as well as the thin surface film on standing water."
It's laden with microbes.]
"To prevent biofilms from growing on the filter, [which they often do,]
back-flush the filter every few days to wash out the bacteria. Scrubbing the
filter's outer element with a toothbrush is even more effective.
"Jordan himself doesn't use filters. He relies on chlorine dioxide drops,
which unlike iodine pills can kill giardia and cryptosporidium even in
biofilms. (Chlorine dioxide has long been used in municipal water treatment,
but is a relatively new product for back-country use.)
"Surprisingly, the primary route of intestinal infection on the trail is not
water, Jordan said, but rather the link between not washing hands after
going to the bathroom, and handling food. He recommends alcohol hand gels
rather than soap: 'Soap is too impractical to use properly and alcohol gels
kill fecal bacteria more effectively.'
"Back-country dishwashing can become very elaborate, but Jordan has these
suggestions: Don't wash dishes! Just wipe them clean and dry them out.
Bacteria can't live long on a dry surface, and putting them in the sun for
an hour will disinfect them. Boiling water for your next freeze-dried meal
will sterilize anything that's left in the cooking pot.
"All the more time to lie back and enjoy the stars -- or whatever brought
you so far from indoor plumbing to begin with."