Online News--SARS and Plumbing: The Role Sewage Plays in Spreading Disease
Recent reports by the World Health Organization (WHO) have shed new light on the role sewage plays in spreading the deadly disease known as severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. The issue emerged following a SARS outbreak at the Amoy Garden apartment complex in Hong Kong.
According to WHO, ineffective U-trap seals in the drainpipes of Amoy Garden apartments triggered the SARS outbreak. These traps, often called P- traps in the U.S., are designed to hold water at all times. The water acts as a barrier and prevents insects, foul smells, and in this case, viruses and bacteria from backing up through the drains.