Conference Presentations by Paul Hynds
Papers by Paul Hynds
Classification of white blood cells (leucocytes) from blood smear imagery using machine and deep learning models: A global scoping review
PloS one, Jun 17, 2024
Longitudinal monitoring of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) concentrations in surface waters and groundwater supplies within an Irish catchment
The Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Escherichia Coli and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated from Private Groundwater Wells in the Republic of Ireland
Social Science Research Network, 2022
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Mar 1, 2018
Top-down and bottom-up management of private groundwater contamination risk: A comparative scoping review of similarities, drivers and challenges in two developed regions
While developed nations are assumed to provide high groundwater quality security, populations rel... more While developed nations are assumed to provide high groundwater quality security, populations reliant on (typically rural, unregulated) private domestic groundwater wells are often uniquely vulnerable to supply contamination. The potential health ramifications of exposure to contaminated groundwater may be especially grave for immunosuppressed populations residing in service-deprived and climate-vulnerable areas, necessitating concerted government (educational) and household-level (behavioural) action. In response, a growing number of studies (spanning quantitative contamination risk assessments, policy strategies, communicative interventions and householder surveys) have emerged within the last several decades. To date, few investigations have sought to synthesise this literature and ascertain the potential generality of drivers of both private groundwater contamination and preventive responses in high-income countries. The developed regions of the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Ontario represent an appropriate point of comparison to establish research transferability. Both regions are characterised by high private groundwater reliance (> 10% of their respective populations), pervasive microbial groundwater contamination and significant associations between acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) and private well use. Consumption of private well water contributes to approximately 4,800 annual cases of AGI in Ontario and as many as 80% of annual cases of verotoxigenic E.coli (VTEC) in the ROI. However, despite similarities, regional discrepancies exist with respect to policy landscapes (e.g., monetary requirements for private water quality testing) and contamination risk profiles (e.g., frequency of extreme weather event concurrence). In efforts to elucidate the potential implications of these phenomena, a scoping review of literature (1990-2022) in the ROI and Ontario outlining risk management measures to prevent private groundwater contamination in the was undertaken. The SPICE (Setting, Population/Phenomenon, Intervention, Setting, Perspective) methodology was utilised to inform literature search terms, with Scopus and Web of Science selected as primary databases for article searches. Following removal of duplicate studies and article screening, 92 articles (Canada = 70, ROI = 22) were retained for analysis. Articles were predominantly comprised of quantitative contamination risk assessment studies (n = 68), with qualitative and quantitative questionnaire investigations (n = 16), interventions (n = 2) and policy studies (n = 6) noticeably less frequent. Quantitative risk assessments published after the year 2000 demonstrated an overwhelming focus on microbial supply contamination, identifying well type and proximity of agricultural activity as significant determinants of supply contamination. Survey studies in both regions also consistently highlighted gender, perceived confidence in maintaining supply and economic and convenience barriers as significant determinants of well user knowledge and behaviour. However, well users in Ontario demonstrated markedly higher rates of prior well testing (irrespective of adherence to regional guidelines), suggesting that incentivised (or free) well testing may lead to significant increases in uptake of well water quality testing. The paucity of identified intervention studies suggests that increased research investigating methods of well user outreach and groundwater risk communication will be necessary in the future to determine the broad efficacy of risk communication in developed nations.
Quantifying farm-to-fork greenhouse gas emissions for five dietary patterns across Europe and North America: A pooled analysis from 2009 to 2020
Resources, environment and sustainability, Jun 1, 2023
Journal of Water and Health, Aug 17, 2012
Microbial and chemical contamination of drinking water supplies can cause human health problems. ... more Microbial and chemical contamination of drinking water supplies can cause human health problems. Microbial pathogens are of primary concern and quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is employed to assess and manage the risks they pose. Estimates of drinking water consumption, or distributions, are required to assess levels of waterborne pathogen exposure. To establish distributions for the Irish population, water consumption data were collected from 549 rural survey respondents. A further 110 participants completed a five-day water consumption diary. Average daily consumption of tap-water among the primarily rural-dwelling questionnaire respondents was 940 ml day À1 (SD 670 ml day À1 ) and 1,186 ml day À1 (SD 701 ml day À1 ) among the principally urban-dwelling diary respondents. Both mean figures are significantly less than the 2,000 ml day À1 default figure currently used for QRMA; therefore its use may lead to overestimation of the waterborne health burden. As the observed daily consumption difference between rural and urban residents is statistically significant, use of separate consumption distributions for QMRA is advocated. Although males reported higher daily tap-water consumption rates than females, these differences were insignificant, so separate consumption distributions are not considered necessary. A log-normal distribution provides the most adequate fit for daily tap-water intake (ml day À1 ) within both datasets.
A Quantitative Risk Assessment of Verotoxigenic<i>E. coli</i>(VTEC) in Private Groundwater Sources in the Republic of Ireland
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, Apr 14, 2014
ABSTRACT Based on the sampling of 262 private domestic wells in Ireland, mainly located in High/E... more ABSTRACT Based on the sampling of 262 private domestic wells in Ireland, mainly located in High/Extreme vulnerability areas, a quantitative model was developed for prediction of gastrointestinal infection risk attributable to verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) contamination of private wells in Ireland. Models are based on maximum likelihoods and predict an overall crude incidence rate of 28.3/100,000 well users per annum; approximately 5-6 times higher than crude incidence rates reported within the Irish population and up to 40 times higher than the current EU mean. Predicted crude incidence rates (CIR) of 21.6/100,000 and 88.7/100,000 were associated with borehole and hand-dug wells users, respectively, with predicted annual probabilities of 0.1% and 0.17%, respectively. Predicted annual infection risks associated with both (untreated) well types exceed the USEPA acceptable target of Keywords: E. coli; Ireland; groundwater; infection; microbial risk assessment Document Type: Research Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2013.862065 Affiliations: 1: Environmental Research Group, School of Engineering, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland 2: School of Engineering, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland Publication date: November 2, 2014 $(document).ready(function() { var shortdescription = $(&quot;.originaldescription&quot;).text().replace(/\\&amp;/g, &#39;&amp;&#39;).replace(/\\, &#39;&lt;&#39;).replace(/\\&gt;/g, &#39;&gt;&#39;).replace(/\\t/g, &#39; &#39;).replace(/\\n/g, &#39;&#39;); if (shortdescription.length &gt; 350){ shortdescription = &quot;&quot; + shortdescription.substring(0,250) + &quot;... more&quot;; } $(&quot;.descriptionitem&quot;).prepend(shortdescription); $(&quot;.shortdescription a&quot;).click(function() { $(&quot;.shortdescription&quot;).hide(); $(&quot;.originaldescription&quot;).slideDown(); return false; }); }); Related content In this: publication By this: publisher By this author: Hynds, Paul D. ; Gill, Laurence W. ; Misstear, Bruce D. GA_googleFillSlot(&quot;Horizontal_banner_bottom&quot;);
Water Resources Research, Dec 1, 2012
Groundwater quality analyses were carried out on samples from 262 private sources in the Republic... more Groundwater quality analyses were carried out on samples from 262 private sources in the Republic of Ireland during the period from April 2008 to November 2010, with microbial quality assessed by thermotolerant coliform (TTC) presence. Assessment of potential microbial contamination risk factors was undertaken at all sources, and local meteorological data were also acquired. Overall, 28.9% of wells tested positive for TTC, with risk analysis indicating that source type (i.e., borehole or hand-dug well), local bedrock type, local subsoil type, groundwater vulnerability, septic tank setback distance, and 48 h antecedent precipitation were all significantly associated with TTC presence (p < 0.05). A number of source-specific design parameters were also significantly associated with bacterial presence. Hierarchical logistic regression with stepwise parameter entry was used to develop a private well susceptibility model, with the final model exhibiting a mean predictive accuracy of >80% (TTC present or absent) when compared to an independent validation data set. Model hierarchies of primary significance are source design (20%), septic tank location (11%), hydrogeological setting (10%), and antecedent 120 h precipitation (2%). Sensitivity analysis shows that the probability of contamination is highly sensitive to septic tank setback distance, with probability increasing linearly with decreases in setback distance. Likewise, contamination probability was shown to increase with increasing antecedent precipitation. Results show that while groundwater vulnerability category is a useful indicator of aquifer susceptibility to contamination, its suitability with regard to source contamination is less clear. The final model illustrates that both localized (well-specific) and generalized (aquifer-specific) contamination mechanisms are involved in contamination events, with localized bypass mechanisms dominant. The susceptibility model developed here could be employed in the appropriate location, design, construction, and operation of private groundwater wells, thereby decreasing the contamination risk, and hence health risk, associated with these sources.
PLOS ONE, May 7, 2014
Background: Up to 150 million North Americans currently use a groundwater system as their princip... more Background: Up to 150 million North Americans currently use a groundwater system as their principal drinking water source. These systems are a potential source of exposure to enteric pathogens, contributing to the burden of waterborne disease. Waterborne disease outbreaks have been associated with US and Canadian groundwater systems over the past two decades. However, to date, this literature has not been reviewed in a comprehensive manner. A combined review and pooled-analysis approach was used to investigate groundwater contamination in Canada and the US from 1990 to 2013; fifty-five studies met eligibility criteria. Four study types were identified. It was found that study location affects study design, sample rate and studied pathogen category. Approximately 15% (316/2210) of samples from Canadian and US groundwater sources were positive for enteric pathogens, with no difference observed based on system type. Knowledge gaps exist, particularly in exposure assessment for attributing disease to groundwater supplies. Furthermore, there is a lack of consistency in risk factor reporting (local hydrogeology, well type, well use, etc). The widespread use of fecal indicator organisms in reported studies does not inform the assessment of human health risks associated with groundwater supplies. This review illustrates how groundwater study design and location are critical for subsequent data interpretation and use. Knowledge gaps exist related to data on bacterial, viral and protozoan pathogen prevalence in Canadian and US groundwater systems, as well as a need for standardized approaches for reporting study design and results. Fecal indicators are examined as a surrogate for health risk assessments; caution is advised in their widespread use. Study findings may be useful during suspected waterborne outbreaks linked with a groundwater supply to identify the likely etiological agent and potential transport pathway.
Hydrogeology Journal, Oct 14, 2022
Improving our understanding of groundwater quality threats to human health and the environment is... more Improving our understanding of groundwater quality threats to human health and the environment is essential to protect and manage groundwater resources effectively. This essay highlights some global groundwater quality challenges, describes key contaminant groups and threats of emerging concern, including antimicrobial resistance, and discusses novel approaches to assessing groundwater quality. Groundwater quality monitoring needs to improve significantly in order to effectively identify and mitigate threats to groundwater from historical, current and future pollution.
Journal of Environmental Management, Sep 1, 2013
While the safety of public drinking water supplies in the Republic of Ireland is governed and mon... more While the safety of public drinking water supplies in the Republic of Ireland is governed and monitored at both local and national levels, there are currently no legislative tools in place relating to private supplies. It is therefore paramount that private well owners (and users) be aware of source specifications and potential contamination risks, to ensure adequate water quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of awareness among private well owners in the Republic of Ireland, relating to source characterisation and groundwater contamination issues. This was undertaken through interviews with 245 private well owners. Statistical analysis indicates that respondents' source type significantly influences owner awareness, particularly regarding well construction and design parameters. Water treatment, source maintenance and regular water quality testing are considered the three primary "protective actions" (or "stewardship activities") to consumption of contaminated groundwater and were reported as being absent in 64%, 72% and 40% of cases, respectively. Results indicate that the level of awareness exhibited by well users did not significantly affect the likelihood of their source being contaminated (source susceptibility); increased awareness on behalf of well users was associated with increased levels of protective action, particularly among borehole owners. Hence, lower levels of awareness may result in increased contraction of waterborne illnesses where contaminants have entered the well. Accordingly, focused educational strategies to increase awareness among private groundwater users are advocated in the short-term; the development and introdiction of formal legislation is recommended in the long-term, including an integrated programme of well inspections and risk assessments.
Nutrients, Jul 23, 2023
Dietary patterns and body mass index (BMI) play a significant role in the development of noncommu... more Dietary patterns and body mass index (BMI) play a significant role in the development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, including Ireland. A cross-sectional survey was conducted across Ireland to collate respondents' socioeconomic profiles, health status, and dietary patterns with a representative sample size of 957 adult respondents. Principal component analysis (PCA) and statistical analyses were subsequently employed. To the author's knowledge, this is the first study to use recent (2021) nationally representative data to characterise dietary patterns in Ireland via dimensionality reduction. Five distinct dietary patterns ("meat-focused", "dairy/ovo-focused", "vegetable-focused", "seafood-focused", and "potatofocused") were identified and statistically characterised. The "potato-focused" group exhibited the highest mean BMI (26.88 kg/m 2 ), while the "vegetable-focused" group had the lowest (24.68 kg/m 2 ). "Vegetable-focused" respondents were more likely to be associated with a categorically healthy BMI (OR = 1.90) and urban residency (OR = 2.03). Conversely, "meat-focused" respondents were more likely to have obesity (OR = 1.46) and rural residency (OR = 1.72) along with the "potato-focused" group (OR = 2.15). Results show that data-derived dietary patterns may better predict health outcomes than self-reported dietary patterns, and transitioning to diets focusing on vegetables, seafood, and lower meat consumption may improve health.
Genes, Apr 6, 2023
ST410 among Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Healthy Free-R... more ST410 among Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Healthy Free-Range Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in a Rural Region in Tunisia. Genes 2023,
Private wells in Ireland : a quantitative assessment of groundwater quality, consumer awareness, contamination susceptibility and human health risk
THESIS 9626A doctoral research study, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, was undertak... more THESIS 9626A doctoral research study, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, was undertaken to examine and assess the health risks associated with private groundwater sources in Ireland. Furthermore, the potential contamination pathways and mechanisms, including consumer awareness, were investigated, quantified and modelled, in order to provide risk management and communication tools in the form of a source susceptibility model and guidance for private groundwater consumers in Ireland. Four primary study areas were selected using decision-based criteria for data acquisition and subsequent analyses, with a fifth area used for model verification. Within the four main study areas, 211 private groundwater sources, of differing design and construction characteristics were surveyed using a developed site assessment process. Furthermore, groundwater samples from each assessed source were analysed for a comprehensive suite of physicochemical, chemical and microbial parameters, with a number of these sources tested on a monthly basis for up to 21-months. A groundwater awareness questionnaire was developed and completed with 545 private groundwater users
Hydrogeology Journal, May 3, 2017
Epidemiology and Infection
This systematic literature review aimed to provide an overview of the characteristics and methods... more This systematic literature review aimed to provide an overview of the characteristics and methods used in studies applying the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) concept for infectious diseases within European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA)/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and the United Kingdom. Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for articles reporting the assessment of DALY and its components. We considered studies in which researchers performed DALY calculations using primary epidemiological data input sources. We screened 3053 studies of which 2948 were excluded and 105 studies met our inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 22 were multi-country and 83 were single-country studies, of which 46 were from the Netherlands. Food- and water-borne diseases were the most frequently studied infectious diseases. Between 2015 and 2022, the number of burden of infectious disease studies was 1.6 times higher compared to that published between 20...
Classification of sub-populations for quantitative risk assessment based on awareness and perception: A cross-sectional population study of private well users in Ontario
Science of The Total Environment
Uploads
Conference Presentations by Paul Hynds
Papers by Paul Hynds