Output details

The H2S test versus standard indicator bacteria tests for faecal contamination of water: systematic review and meta-analysis

Water quality analysis is vital to the effective management of water supplies to protect health. In developing countries, laboratory facilities are scarce and often ill-equipped. The H2S test was introduced as a simple field test that has been adopted by many agencies (e.g. UNICEF: ~ 1 million tests/year). Concerns about the reliability of the H2S test have been raised, but this paper quantifies for the first time the sensitivity and specificity of the test and demonstrates clearly its strengths and weaknesses. The output has informed the monitoring strategy of UNICEF and others.