Degradation of viral RNA in wastewater complex matrix models and other standards for wastewater-based epidemiology: A review

Abstract

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) has become a powerful tool in pandemics, serving as a surveillance strategy. However, there are numerous variables that affect the results obtained from wastewater, ultimately affecting the reliability of the information. These variables include dilution, temperature-related degradation, biomass growth, and other unexplored processes. Current models only consider temperature in their analysis. Furthermore, previous research is focused on few viruses. Hence, more complete models for viral RNA degradation on complex matrices are needed. Direct wastewater indicators identified and quantified by analytical chemistry from human consumption e.g., secondary metabolites from caffeine consumption, hormones, and molecular analysis of enteric viruses, previously unexplored, can be used as not only health indicators but also to help to determine the initial content of viral RNA. This review explores modeling tools, their challenges, and advances in the field of WBE.