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PATHOGEN EQUIVALENCY COMMITTEE (PEC)
Citation:
SMITH, J. E. AND ET AL. PATHOGEN EQUIVALENCY COMMITTEE (PEC). Presented at WSWRD/NRMRL BOSC Review, Cincinnati, OH, January 25 - 27, 2006.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created the PEC in 1985 to make recommendations to EPA and State managers on the equivalency of unproven sewage sludge disinfection technologies/processes 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. The PEC consists of eleven 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. 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. Since 1989 the PEC has authored, made available and updated every three to four years the so called White House Document (Environmental Regulations and Technology: Control of Pathogens and Vector Attraction in Sewage Sludge). It is a primary reference for regional, state and local regulatory authorities and their constituents. In addition to providing information on Class A and B processes and vector attraction reduction options, it clarifies many sampling, monitoring and analytical issues. Detail is given on applying for PSRP or PFRP equivalency.