A short review of the history of the Belgian Psychological Society.

This review of the history of the Belgian Psychological Society was written on the occasion of the 50th anniversary. It includes a report of the conditions under which the Society was created. a summary of the first four years of working, and a sketch of the major developments that haven taken place since the foundation. The review also contains information about the presidents of the Society, the members, the honorary members, and the BPS journal Psychologica Belgica. Finally, there are sections on the national and international initiatives of the Society, and on the activities organized during the academic year 1996-1997

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia intestinalis in Swimming Pools, Atlanta, Georgia

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia intestinalis have been found in swimming pool filter backwash during outbreaks. To determine baseline prevalence, we sampled pools not associated with outbreaks and found that of 160 sampled pools, 13 (8.1%) were positive for 1 or both parasites; 10 (6.2%) for Giardia sp., 2 (1.2%) for Cryptosporidium spp., and 1 (0.6%) for both

Phenotypic characterization and 16S rDNA identification of culturable non-obligate halophilic bacterial communities from a hypersaline lake, La Sal del Rey, in extreme South Texas (USA)

Background: La Sal del Rey ( the King’s Salt”) is one of several naturally-occurring salt lakes in Hidalgo County, Texas and is part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The research objective was to isolate and characterize halophilic microorganisms from La Sal del Rey. Water samples were collected from the lake and a small creek that feeds into the lake. Soil samples were collected from land adjacent to the water sample locations. Sample salinity was determined using a refractometer. Samples were diluted and cultured on a synthetic saline medium to grow halophilic bacteria. The density of halophiles was estimated by viable plate counts. A collection of isolates was selected, gram-stained, tested for catalase, and characterized using API 20E® test strips. Isolates were putatively identified by sequencing the 16S rDNA. Carbon source utilization by the microbial community from each sample site was examined using EcoPlate™ assays and the carbon utilization total activity of the community was determined. Results: Results showed that salinity ranged from 4 parts per thousand (ppt) at the lake water source to 420 ppt in water samples taken just along the lake shore. The density of halophilic bacteria in water samples ranged from 1.2 × 102 - 5.2 × 103 colony forming units per ml (cfu ml-1) whereas the density in soil samples ranged from 4.0 × 105 - 2.5 × 106 colony forming units per gram (cfu g-1). In general, as salinity increased the density of the bacterial community decreased. Microbial communities from water and soil samples were able to utilize 12 - 31 carbon substrates. The greatest number of substrates utilized was by water-borne communities compared to soil-based communities, especially at lower salinities. The majority of bacteria isolated were gram-negative, catalase-positive, rods. Biochemical profiles constructed from API 20E® test strips showed that bacterial isolates from low-salinity water samples (4 ppt) showed the greatest phenotypic diversity with regards to the types and number of positive tests from the strip. Isolates taken from water samples at the highest salinity (420 ppt) tended to be less diverse and have only a limited number of positive tests. Sequencing of 16S DNA displayed the presence of members of bacterial genera Bacillus, Halomonas, Pseudomonas, Exiguobacterium and others. The genus Bacillus was most commonly identified. None of the isolates were members of the Archaea probably due to dilution of salts in the samples. Conclusions: The La Sal del Rey ecosystem supports a robust and diverse bacterial community despite the high salinity of the lake and soil. However, salinity does appear to a limiting factor with

Distribution and Preliminary Exposure Assessment of Bisphenol AF (BPAF) in Various Environmental Matrices around a Manufacturing Plant in China

Increasing attention has been paid to bisphenol A and bisphenol (BP) analogues due to high production volumes, wide usage and potential adverse effects. Bisphenol AF (BPAF) is considered a new bisphenol analogue which is used as raw material in plastic industry, but little is known about its occurrence in the environment and the potential associated risk. In this work, BPAF levels and environmental distribution were reported in samples collected around a manufacturing plant and a preliminary exposure risk assessment to local residents was conducted. BPAF was detected in most of the samples, with levels in river ranging between &lt;LOD to 1.53 × 10⁴ ng/L, sediments (0.520-2.00 × 10³ ng/g dry weight, dw), soils (&lt;LOD to 331 ng/g dw) and indoor dusts (7.82-739 ng/g dw) and well water (&lt;LOD to 300 ng/L). Exponential declining trends were observed for BPAF levels with increasing distance from the manufacturing plant. Based on the quantitative data and quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model deduction, BPAF was predicted to mainly retain in sediment and soil after released into the ambient environment and organic carbon was the domain factor during the process. The preliminary BPAF exposure assessment based on the CSOIL model suggested that children could have higher intake of BPAF than adults through inhalation of soils, dermal exposure by soils contact and bathing with well water.</p

The effect of weather on the microbiological quality of rainwater used for toilet flushing and cleaning

Onderzoek naar de microbiologische kwaliteit van opgevangen regenwater dat bewaard werd in reservoirs toonde aan dat dit water altijd fecaal verontreinigd was en soms ziekteverwekkende micro-organismen zoals Campylobacter, Legionella, Cryptosporidium of Giardia bevatte. De mate van fecale verontreiniging van het water werd beinvloed door de hoeveelheid neerslag en de neerslagintensiteit. Als vervolg op een in 2005 uitgevoerd inventariserend onderzoek naar de microbiologische kwaliteit van opgevangen regenwater werd in 2006 het effect van omgevingsfactoren op de microbiologische kwaliteit van opgevangen regenwater onderzocht. Uit drie regenwaterreservoirs werden onder verschillende omstandigheden monsters genomen, zodat de mogelijke invloed van droogte, (hevige) neerslag, al dan niet na een periode van droogte, en temperatuur bestudeerd kon worden. De aanwezigheid van Campylobacter, Salmonella, Vibrio, Legionella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia en enterovirussen werd onderzocht. Bij een hoge neerslagintensiteit na een periode van droogte steeg het aantal fecale indicatorbacterien in het water in de reservoirs en werden ziekteverwekkende bacterien zoals Campylobacter gevonden. Door afspoeling van vogelfeces vanaf de daken kunnen hoge aantallen Campylobacter in de reservoirs terechtkomen, waardoor het denkbaar is dat bij gebruik van het opgevangen regenwater voor toiletspoeling niet aan het in het Waterleidingbesluit gestelde infectierisico van 1 per 10.000 personen per jaar wordt voldaan.A 2006 study of the microbiological quality of rainwater collected in reservoirs demonstrated that this water was fecally contaminated at all instances and sometimes contained pathogenic micro-organisms such as Campylobacter, Legionella, Cryptosporidium or Giardia. The amount of rainfall and rainfall intensity influenced the level of faecal contamination of the water. The study reported here - a follow up to a pilot study on the microbiological quality of collected rainwater carried out in 2005 - dealt specifically with the effect of environmental conditions on the microbiological quality of collected rainwater. Samples were taken from three reservoirs at various environmental conditions to study the effect of drought, heavy and normal rainfall (whether or not after a period of drought) and temperature. The presence of Campylobacter, Salmonella, Vibrio, Legionella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and enteroviruses was determined. The number of faecal indicator bacteria in the reservoirs increased with high rainfall intensity, especially after a period of drought, and pathogenic micro-organisms such as Campylobacter were detected. Considering the high numbers of Campylobacter found in the reservoirs due to the runoff of bird faeces from roofs, it is conceivable that the requirement of one infection in 10,000 persons per year, as outlined in the Dutch Drinking Water Act, will not be met.VROM-Inspecti

First Ground-Based Validation of SCIAMACHY V5.01 Ozone Column

In early 2004, the near real-time data processor of ENVISAT SCIAMACHY (SCI_NL) was upgraded to version 5.01. Based on the correlative measurements acquired and collected during the commissioning phase of the satellite in 2002, a preliminary validation was organised to verify the improvement and assess the geophysical consistency of the new SCIAMACHY ozone vertical column data product. The present overview summarises the results obtained by a list of validation teams and involving ground-based data acquired from pole to pole by complementary ground-based sensors. The studies conclude to an improvement compared to previous versions 3.5x. They also confirm the presence of expected errors (e.g. dependence on solar elevation and on ozone column) inherited from the GOME Data Processor GDP 2.4, on which the SCIAMACHY processor SCI_NL is based

The microbiological quality of the water in the Amsterdam canals

Het water in de Amsterdamse Prinsengracht en Herengracht en het water in de Amstel bij de Berlagebrug en het IJmeer bij de inlaat van het gemaal Zeeburg is verontreinigd met feces van mens of dier. Acht van de twaalf onderzochte mogelijke ziekteverwekkers werden in het water aangetroffen. Het ging om Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, rotavirus, enterovirus, reovirus en norovirus. Microbiologische verontreiniging van het water in de Amsterdamse grachten kan optreden doordat afvalwater van woonboten in de grachten geloosd wordt, maar ook doordat al dan niet gezuiverd rioolwater rechtstreeks of via de Amstel in de grachten terecht komt. Wanneer mensen in aanraking komen met microbiologisch verontreinigd oppervlaktewater kunnen ze milde aandoeningen zoals maagdarmklachten, huidklachten en oor- en oogklachten oplopen, maar ook ernstigere aandoeningen zoals hepatitis. Elk jaar komen vooral in de zomermaanden veel mensen, al dan niet vrijwillig, in het water van de Amsterdamse grachten terecht. Anderen, zoals professionele duikers, komen bij het uitoefenen van hun beroep in aanraking met het grachtenwater. De Amsterdamse grachten zijn niet als zwemlocatie aangewezen en daarom wordt de waterkwaliteit niet gecontroleerd. Toetsing van de waterkwaliteit in de grachten aan de strenge normen voor indicatoren voor fecale verontreiniging uit de herziene Europese Zwemwaterrichtlijn die in 2006 in werking is getreden, liet zien dat het water niet voldeed aan de normen en daarom niet als zwemwater geschikt is. Het is niet uit te sluiten dat personen die aan dit water worden blootgesteld een gezondheidsrisico lopen.The water in the Amsterdam canals Prinsengracht and Herengracht as well as the river Amstel near the Berlagebrug and the IJmeer at the inlet of pumping engine Zeeburg is contaminated with faeces from human or animal origin. Eight of twelve possible pathogens studied were detected in the water; these are Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, rotavirus, enterovirus, reovirus and norovirus. Microbiological contamination of the water in the Amsterdam canals can occur through discharge of wastewater from houseboats into the canals, but also through purified or non-purified sewage that enters the canal directly or via the Amstel. People exposed to microbiologically contaminated surface water may develop mild health complaints such as gastroenteritis, skin complaints, and ear and eye complaints, but also more severe conditions like hepatitis. Every year, particularly during the summer, many people enter the Amsterdam canals, voluntarily or not. Others, like occupational divers, are exposed to the canal water while exercising their jobs. Since the Amsterdam canals are not official bathing sites, water quality is not tested. Testing of the canal water quality for compliance with the stringent standard values for faecal indicators in the revised European Bathing Water Directive, which came into force in 2006, has demonstrated that water quality did not comply with the standards. The canal water was therefore considered unsuitable for swimming and health risks for persons exposed to these waters cannot be ruled out.GGD Amsterda

Blauwalgenprotocol 2020

Wanneer er veel blauwalgen in zwemwater zitten, kunnen ze voor overlast (zoals stank) en gezondheidsrisico's (zoals milde huid- en maagdarmklachten) voor zwemmers zorgen. De kwaliteit van water van officiële zwemlocaties moet voldoen aan Europese eisen. Om de gezondheid van zwemmers op deze zwemlocaties te beschermen, gebruiken waterbeheerders in Nederland daarom het Blauwalgenprotocol. Dit protocol vertelt hen hoe ze zwemlocaties moeten controleren op blauwalgen en welke maatregelen ze moeten nemen. Het Blauwalgenprotocol 2020 doet dit volgens de nieuwste inzichten Het Blauwalgenprotocol 2020 is een update. De update was nodig omdat er sinds het laatste Blauwalgenprotocol, uit 2012, nieuwe inzichten zijn hoe de aanwezigheid van blauwalgen kan worden gevolgd. Ook wil de overheid de blauwalgenproblematiek in heel Nederland op dezelfde manier aanpakken. Blauwalgen kunnen soms giftig zijn. Omdat het niet altijd mogelijk is de giftige van de niet-giftige te onderscheiden zijn, gaat het Blauwalgenprotocol 2020 er voor de zekerheid vanuit dat ze allemaal giftig kunnen zijn. Waterbeheerders controleren zwemlocaties door lokaal de situatie te bekijken. Daarna onderzoeken ze het water in het laboratorium. Ze volgen hierbij een verplichte, vaste procedure. Zo wordt vastgesteld hoeveel blauwalgen er in het water zitten en hoe groot het risico is. Waterbeheerders mogen ook extra onderzoek doen als zij dat nodig vinden. Als het risico bekend is, worden de maatregelen genomen die daarbij horen en worden de zwemmers geïnformeerd. Dit kan een waarschuwing, een negatief zwemadvies of een zwemverbod zijn. Dit wordt ter plaatse aangegeven en op www.zwemwater.nl. Door het Blauwalgenprotocol 2020 na te leven tijdens het zwemseizoen (1 mei - 1 oktober) voldoet Nederland aan de eisen van de Europese Zwemwaterrichtlijn.Water with a lot of cyanobacteria may cause nuisance (such as bad odour) and health risks (such as mild skin and gastrointestinal complaints) to bathers. The water quality at official bathing sites should comply with European requirements. To protect bathers' health at these bathing sites, water managers in the Netherlands use the Cyanobacteria Protocol. This protocol tells them how to inspect bathing sites for cyanobacteria, and which measures they should take. The Cyanobacteria Protocol 2020 does so according to the latest insights. The Cyanobacteria Protocol 2020 is an update. The update was needed because there are new understandings of how to monitor cyanobacteria since the latest Cyanobacteria Protocol dating from 2012. Additionally, the government also wants to handle the cyanobacteria issue in an identical way in the whole of the Netherlands. Cyanobacteria can sometimes be toxic. However, since it is not always possible to distinguish between toxic and non-toxic cyanobacteria, the Cyanobacteria Protocol 2020 assumes that they can all be toxic, just to make sure. Water managers check bathing sites by on-site inspections, after which they examine the water in the laboratory. They do this according to an obligatory, standard procedure. In this way, they determine how many cyanobacteria are present in the water and what the risk level is. Water managers may do extra tests if they consider this necessary. When the risk level is known, measures are taken accordingly and the bathers will be informed. This can be a warning, an advice against bathing or a swimming ban. This is announced at the bating site and on www.zwemwater.nl. By complying with the Cyanobacteria Protocol 2020 during the bathing season (May 1st - October 1st), the Netherlands complies with the requirements in the European Bathing Water Directive.Ministerie van I&

Antibiotic resistant bacteria in surface water in an area with a high density of animal farms in the Netherlands

In oppervlaktewater en slib in veeteeltrijk gebied komen hoge percentages bacterien voor die resistent zijn tegen een of meerdere antibiotica. Dit blijkt uit verkennend onderzoek van het RIVM. De herkomst van deze bacterien in het onderzochte gebied is in deze studie niet onderzocht. Wel zijn er aanwijzingen dat ten minste een deel van de bacterien afkomstig is uit mest van nabijgelegen veeteeltbedrijven. Onderzoek naar de mate waarin antibioticumresistente bacterien in oppervlaktewater voorkomen is van belang om te kunnen inschatten in hoeverre mensen via het milieu worden blootgesteld aan deze bacterien. Er zijn meerdere oorzaken waardoor antibioticaresistente bacterien in oppervlaktewater terechtkomen. Bijvoorbeeld doordat mest van dieren die met antibiotica zijn behandeld, afspoelt naar het oppervlaktewater. Een andere oorzaak kan zijn dat gedeeltelijk gezuiverd of ongezuiverd afvalwater in oppervlaktewater wordt geloosd, bijvoorbeeld door ziekenhuizen waar mensen zijn behandeld met antibiotica. Als mensen met verontreinigd oppervlaktewater in aanraking komen, zoals tijdens recreatie, kunnen zij worden blootgesteld aan bacterien die resistent zijn tegen een of meerdere antibiotica. Dit brengt mogelijk volksgezondheidrisico's met zich mee omdat deze antibiotica belangrijk kunnen zijn om infecties te behandelen. De risico's kunnen zich op twee manieren manifesteren. Mensen die aan antibioticaresistente bacterien worden blootgesteld, kunnen zelf het risico lopen ziek te worden van deze - moeilijker te bestrijden - bacterien. Daarnaast is het mogelijk dat mensen zelf niet ziek worden van de resistente bacterien maar ze overdragen aan mensen met verminderde weerstand, zoals ziekenhuispatienten. Deze categorie mensen kan hier vervolgens wel ziek van worden.High percentages of bacteria with resistence to one ore more antibiotics are present in surface water and sludge in an agricultural area with a high density of animal farms. This was demonstrated in an exploratory study performed at the RIVM. Although the origin of the bacteria in the area under study was not investigated, there are indications that at least part of the bacteria originates from manure from nearby farms. Research on the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in surface water is necessary to estimate the contribution of the environment to human exposure to these bacteria. Antibiotic resistant bacteria can end up in surface water by different routes. Manure of animals treated with antibiotics can run off from land into surface water. Another route is via discharge of partially treated or untreated waste water onto surface water, for instance from hospitals were people are treated with antibiotics. If they come into contact with contaminated surface water, for instance during recreation, people risk exposure to bacteria that are resistant to one or more antibiotics. Since these antibiotics can be relevant for treatment of human infections, public health risks may be involved. These risks can manifest themselves in two ways. People who are exposed to antibiotic resistant bacteria are at risk of developing disease caused by these bacteria, which is therefore harder to treat. Additionally, if people do not get ill from the resistant bacteria they can transfer them to people who are more vulnerable, such as hospital patients. Subsequently, this category of people can develop disease.VROM-Inspecti