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USEPA-USGS Case Studies
Citation:
GLASSMEYER, S. USEPA-USGS Case Studies. Presented at Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL, November 16, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
This research will generate information on the presence of emerging contaminants, including chemicals such as pharmaceuticals, in the drinking water of the United States.
Description:
The presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) in the environment is an area of growing concern for the scientific community and the general public. ECs include a broad range of chemicals including personal care products, pharmaceuticles, industrial compounds, pesticides, and hormones. A large body of evidence indicates that ECs are widespread in aquatic and terrestrial systems and have the potential to affect the health of organisms. ECs can affect development, metabolism, growth, osmoregulation, reproduction, responses to stress, and immune functions. Despite their potential ecosystem impact, their environmental fate and effects are still poorly understood in many regards. To better study and understand these potential impacts chemistry and toxicology sciences need to be linked. This short-course will emphasize what is currently known about the environmental fate and effects of ECs and the potential implications for populations and ecosystems, Select chemical and biological tools developed and improved for this research will be discussed as well as highlighting the challenges linking environmental exposure to ECs to effects.