Microbiological and metal contamination of watercress in the Wellington region, New Zealand—2000 survey
Abstract Objectives: To investigate potential microbiological and metal contamination of watercress and to assess the public health risks associated with harvesting and consumption of watercress. Method: During March and April 2000, samples were taken from 11 known or potential watercress collection...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2004-02-01
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| Series: | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2004.tb00627.x |
| _version_ | 1797720729152651264 |
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| author | C. Edmonds R. Hawke |
| author_facet | C. Edmonds R. Hawke |
| author_sort | C. Edmonds |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives: To investigate potential microbiological and metal contamination of watercress and to assess the public health risks associated with harvesting and consumption of watercress. Method: During March and April 2000, samples were taken from 11 known or potential watercress collection sites in the Wellington region. Microbiological testing included bacterial counts for presumptive and faecal coliforms (watercress); total coliforms (growing water); and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and presence/absence tests for Campylobacter species (g rowing water and watercress). Watercress concentrations of a range of metals were also measured. Results: All of the sites showed significant levels of E. coli in samples of both watercress and water. The E. coli levels in water were well above recommended freshwater recreational contact safety guidelines at most sites. Campylobacter was detected in the growing waters at all sites (80% of the samples) and in 11% of the watercress samples. Mean metal concentrations in watercress did not exceed the NZ Food Regulations (1984) levels at any of the sites. However, lead concentrations at the urban sites and one of the semi‐urban sites would have exceeded the new Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code maximum levels (2003). Conclusions and Implications: The consumption of raw watercress contaminated with enteric pathogens could potentially cause serious gastrointestinal illness (e.g. campylobacteriosis) and people gathering watercress could also be at risk of infection from contact with contaminated surface waters. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:24:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e682f8d20b1a41f1a65e6ffc688cbfb1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1326-0200 1753-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:24:45Z |
| publishDate | 2004-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-e682f8d20b1a41f1a65e6ffc688cbfb12023-09-02T14:21:15ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052004-02-01281202610.1111/j.1467-842X.2004.tb00627.xMicrobiological and metal contamination of watercress in the Wellington region, New Zealand—2000 surveyC. Edmonds0R. Hawke1Hutt Valley District Health Board, New ZealandSchool of Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, New ZealandAbstract Objectives: To investigate potential microbiological and metal contamination of watercress and to assess the public health risks associated with harvesting and consumption of watercress. Method: During March and April 2000, samples were taken from 11 known or potential watercress collection sites in the Wellington region. Microbiological testing included bacterial counts for presumptive and faecal coliforms (watercress); total coliforms (growing water); and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and presence/absence tests for Campylobacter species (g rowing water and watercress). Watercress concentrations of a range of metals were also measured. Results: All of the sites showed significant levels of E. coli in samples of both watercress and water. The E. coli levels in water were well above recommended freshwater recreational contact safety guidelines at most sites. Campylobacter was detected in the growing waters at all sites (80% of the samples) and in 11% of the watercress samples. Mean metal concentrations in watercress did not exceed the NZ Food Regulations (1984) levels at any of the sites. However, lead concentrations at the urban sites and one of the semi‐urban sites would have exceeded the new Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code maximum levels (2003). Conclusions and Implications: The consumption of raw watercress contaminated with enteric pathogens could potentially cause serious gastrointestinal illness (e.g. campylobacteriosis) and people gathering watercress could also be at risk of infection from contact with contaminated surface waters.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2004.tb00627.x |
| spellingShingle | C. Edmonds R. Hawke Microbiological and metal contamination of watercress in the Wellington region, New Zealand—2000 survey Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| title | Microbiological and metal contamination of watercress in the Wellington region, New Zealand—2000 survey |
| title_full | Microbiological and metal contamination of watercress in the Wellington region, New Zealand—2000 survey |
| title_fullStr | Microbiological and metal contamination of watercress in the Wellington region, New Zealand—2000 survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbiological and metal contamination of watercress in the Wellington region, New Zealand—2000 survey |
| title_short | Microbiological and metal contamination of watercress in the Wellington region, New Zealand—2000 survey |
| title_sort | microbiological and metal contamination of watercress in the wellington region new zealand 2000 survey |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2004.tb00627.x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cedmonds microbiologicalandmetalcontaminationofwatercressinthewellingtonregionnewzealand2000survey AT rhawke microbiologicalandmetalcontaminationofwatercressinthewellingtonregionnewzealand2000survey |