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ORD RESEARCH PLAN FOR MICROBIAL PATHOGENS AND DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS IN DRINKING WATER
Citation:
Usepa. ORD RESEARCH PLAN FOR MICROBIAL PATHOGENS AND DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS IN DRINKING WATER. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-97/122, 1997.
Description:
This research plan was developed to describe research needed to support EPAs development of drinking water regulations concerning disinfectants, disinfection by-products (DBPs) and microbial pathogens, focusing on key scientific and technical information needed. The research plan was developed by a team of scientists from EPA's National Laboratories and Centers, within the Office of Research and Development, and from the Office of Water. The Plan is intended to provide guidance to both the intramural research program and the extramural grants program in terms of research priorities and sequencing of research. The challenge in providing safe drinking water today lies in reaching an acceptable balance among competing risks from microbial contamination and disinfection by-products. Research is needed to obtain a better understanding of these risks and how to reduce them through water treatment and other means. The research plan addresses research needs in the areas of exposure, health effects, risk assessment and risk management for both microbial pathogens and disinfection by-products. The EPA also has been using this research plan as a vehicle for discussion with outside groups, including those who participated in the DBP regulatory negotiation, and as a tool to promote coordination and cooperation among various agencies, private organizations, and universities involved in DBP research, in the context of broader research coordination efforts. The Plan has been reviewed by the Science Advisory Board, and by other agencies and stakeholder groups, and was revised to reflect many of their recommendations and to update developments in the state of the science since 1995.