Recent reports by the World Health Organization (WHO) said sewage can play a role 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. While the United States has not experienced a SARS outbreak like the one in China, investigators have uncovered information to prevent severe and common diseases from spreading in their homes through plumbing.
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 United States, 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.