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The Integrated Disinfection By-Product Mixtures Project (“4-Lab Study”): An Overview
Citation:
SIMMONS, J. E., S. D. RICHARDSON, L. K. TEUSCHLER, G. E. RICE, T. F. SPETH, R. J. MILTNER, J. G. PRESSMAN, M. G. NAROTSKY, AND E. S. HUNTER. The Integrated Disinfection By-Product Mixtures Project (“4-Lab Study”): An Overview. Presented at Toxicology and Risk Assessment Conference, Cincinnati, OH, April 14 - 18, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
This is an overview of the most recent results of the 4-Lab Study.
Description:
The intended result of chemical disinfection of drinking water is reduction of microbial contamination and a concomitant decrease in waterborne disease. The formation of a myriad of disinfection by-products (DBPs) is an unintended consequence. DBPs are present in water as highly complex mixtures. To date, more than 600 unique DBPs have been identified; despite this massive identification effort, a large portion of the total organic halide formed as a result of disinfection remains unknown. The goal of the Integrated Disinfection By-Product Mixtures Project is coordinated chemical characterization and toxicological evaluation of DBP mixtures with an emphasis on environmentally-realistic complex mixtures. This research effort is commonly known as the 4-Lab Study as it was conceived, developed, and implemented by a cross-disciplinary team of scientists from four Laboratories/Centers of the Office of Research and Development of the U.S. EPA, in conjunction with an array of extramural partners. This presentation will summarize the scientific and regulatory issues underlying the need for research on DBP mixtures, and provide an overview of the multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary research efforts that comprise the most recent phase of the 4-Lab Project. These research efforts, including quantitative as well as comprehensive qualitative chemical analysis and in vivo and in vitro toxicological assessment, encompass refinements in experimental design based on newly developed methods and techniques for addressing statistical power, preparation of water concentrates, chemical analysis, and delivery of water to experimental animals. (This abstract does not reflect EPA policy.)