Drinking water disinfection by-products (DBPs) are of concern because some epidemiologic studies have shown that some DBPs are associated with cancer or adverse reproductive/ developmental effects in human populations, and other studies have shown that certain DBPs cause similar health effects in laboratory animals. In an effort to obtain new information on unregulated DBPs, we initiated a Nationwide Occurrence Study to quantify priority DBPs (those predicted by toxicology experts to have an adverse health effect) to determine how often they occur and at what levels. A follow-up iodo-DBP occurrence study is currently in progress, where these iodo-acid and iodo-trihalomethane DBPs are being quantified in chloraminated drinking waters across the United States (and one site in Canada). In addition, a new EPA study (the Four Lab Study), which involves the chemical and toxicological evaluation of complex drinking water mixtures treated with chlorine and alternative disinfectants, will be briefly discussed, along with other important new health effects information. 

Speaker
Dr. Susan D. Richardson is a research chemist at the U.S. EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory in Athens, GA. She has worked at the U.S. EPA for approximately 18 years, and for the last several years has been conducting research in drinking water--specifically in the identification of new disinfection by-products (DBPs), with an emphasis on alternative disinfectants and polar by-products.