Evaluating the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Transmission in Wastewater Treatment Plant Workers

Abstract

This short literature review explores the level of risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) occupational transmissions in wastewater treatment plant (WTP) workers. Three main databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and ProQuest) were searched to explore the level of infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, risk factors of transmissibility of the virus in wastewater, and reported cases for occupational transmission in WTP workers. The results show that SARSCoV-2 can be shed in the feces of individuals with COVID-19, making its way to wastewater treatment plants (WTP). Multiple potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission from wastewater to sewage workers have been postulated based in previous studies. However, no case report of occupational transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to wastewater workers was found, and studies suggest that the presence of the virus or its particles is not necessarily indicative of infectivity. Further research is warranted to reliably estimate the occupational risk to WTP workers and identify preventive measures.