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OVERVIEW: CCL PATHOGENS RESEARCH AT NRMRL
Citation:
Reasoner*, D J. OVERVIEW: CCL PATHOGENS RESEARCH AT NRMRL. Presented at U.S. EPA's Reasearch on Microoganisms in Drinking Water Workshop, Cincinnati, OH, 8/5-7/2003.
Description:
The Microbial Contaminants Control Branch (MCCB), Water Supply and Water Resources Division, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, conducts research on microbiological problems associated with source water quality, treatment processes, distribution and storage of drinking water. MCCB's work on Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) microorganisms was formally initiated in 1998 coincident with the publication of the CCL. The CCL included nine microorganisms: Acanthamoeba (Guidance), Adenoviruses, Aeromonas hydrophila, Caliciviruses, Coxsackieviruses, Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), Echoviruses, Helicobacter pylori, Microsporidia and Mycobacterium avium intracellulare. MCCB has completed planned disinfection studies on Aeromonas hydrophila and will complete similar studies with Helicobacter pylori next year. Disinfection studies with Adenovirus were poised to begin shortly after 9/11. Those studies were set aside in order to conduct disinfection studies on surrogates for bioterrorism agents. When disinfection studies on Adenovirus begin, they will be done as a collaborative effort between NRMRL and NERL. In collaboration with the University of Arizona, limited studies on the disinfection of Microsporidia have been completed using chlorine and chloramine. As a result of the events 9/11, disinfection studies on Coxsackievirus, Echovirus and Mycobacterium avium intracellulare will be delayed for two to three years. Work on inactivation of cyanobacteria toxins by drinking water disinfection treatment is currently on-going with the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Health Department.