Children's Exposure Factors and Risk Perception of Sanitation Challenges Along the U.S.-Mexico Border.

Abstract

In the rural U.S. - Mexico border towns, transboundary sanitary sewage overflows (SSOs) are of concern. The high concentrations of pathogens present in SSOs poses a threat to the shared ecosystem and communities' health and well-being. Concerns related to an SSO effluent situated adjacent to a school in Naco, Arizona led to a academic-government-school partnership to assess children's exposure factors, environment and health related risk perceptions, and risk communication preferences. A survey administered to school staff (n=9 and parents (n=31) observed a lower hand/object-to-mouth behavior for children ages 4-6 compared to values in the literature, and the need to further assess exposure factors for children over six. While there was a general negative risk perception to SSOs, approximately half of respondents did not have/were not sure of any SSO related events. Using Bioregion/One Health and cross-border governance frameworks, this study highlights the governing barriers that exist during SSO events and underscores the need for community participation, effective intervention, and risk communication strategies.