Impact/Purpose:

In support of NERL APM "Demonstrate models to forecast the effectiveness of alternative management plans in meeting pathogen-related criteria and standards," this task will identify chemical and microbiological factors affecting risks pathogens pose to public health and assess the effectiveness of alternative management plans to reduce those risks.

Description:

To provide and apply scientific knowledge regarding the survival and transmission of pathogens in the clinical setting to their potential survival and transmission in the natural environment. Similar to the hospital environment where pathogens reside in organic debris treated with disinfectant and antibiotic chemicals, sewage sludge provides low levels of these same pathogens in a highly organic environment that is often contaminated with similar levels of phenolic chemicals, antibiotics, and detergents from agricultural and industrial wastes. Work will include a study with 2,000 patient volunteers in Egypt applying RNA sequencing and other research tools to investigate the environmental survival and nosocomial transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses and Helicobacter pylori (the causative agent of stomach ulcers).

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT

Start Date:12/01/1998

Completion Date:09/30/2003

OMB Category:Other

Record ID: 56086

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Project Information:

Progress :The task manager and collaborators at the University of Maryland School of Medicine organized a prospective epidemiological study of hepatitis C virus in Cairo, Egypt. The project involves physicians, scientists, and hospital administrators associated with the WHO-sponsored Hepatitis C Project. The research is being carried out in collaboration with researchers from the University of Maryland's Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine in Baltimore, MD and the Liver Institute at Menoufiya University in Egypt. To date, approximately 500 patients have been admitted to the study.

Relevance :The results of the research directly apply to issues of concern to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with respect to human health and environmental risks under several of EPA's goals stated in the Agency's Strategic Plan, including "Clean and Safe Water," "Better Waste Management, Restoration of Contaminated Waste Sites, and Emergency Response," and "Sound Science, Improved Understanding of Environmental Risk, and greater Innovation to Address Environmental Problems."

Clients :Alan Hais (OW), James Smith (ORD/NRMRL-Cincinnati)

Project IDs:

ID Code :12550

Project type :OMIS