You are here:
USEPA PATHOGEN EQUIVALENCY COMMITTEE RETREAT
Citation:
SMITH, J. D. USEPA PATHOGEN EQUIVALENCY COMMITTEE RETREAT. Presented at 7th Annual National Biosolids Conference and Workshop, Potomac, MD, October 10 - 13, 2005.
Description:
The Pathogen Equivalency Committee held its retreat from September 20-21, 2005 at Hueston Woods State Park in College Corner, Ohio. This presentation will update the PEC’s membership on emerging pathogens, analytical methods, disinfection techniques, risk analysis, preparation of quality assurance project plans, and expected technology application and evaluation procedures. It will further note that the USEPA created the Pathogen Equivalency Committee (PEC) in 1985 to make recommendations to EPA and State managers on the equivalency of residuals (sludges, animal wastes, and other organic materials) disinfection technologies to either a Process to significantly Reduce Pathogens (PSRP) or a Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP) under the 40CFR-Part 257 and later 40CFR-Part 503 Regulations. Its members also provide guidance to applicants with new technologies on the data necessary to determine equivalency, and to permitting authorities and members of the regulated community on issues related to meeting the pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements of Part 503. Numerous health issues are brought to the attention of the committee for addressing. The PEC now consists of twelve members with expertise in bacteriology, virology, parasitology, wastewater engineering, medical and veterinarian sciences, statistics, and sludge regulations. It includes representatives from EPA’s research and development, regional and water offices, and the Centers for Disease Control, and they will be identified. Invited presenters/participants from academia and various federal agencies assisted the PEC in making a critical review of its current procedures for evaluating new technologies and made suggestions for enhancing them.