Thursday, December 1,
2005
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8:30 am - 9:00 am
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Registration
and Continental Breakfast
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9:00 am - 9:05 am
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Welcome
and Opening Remarks
Albert A. Grant, RNRF Chairman, Potomac, Md. |
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9:05 am - 9:15 am
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Congress
Context and Goals
Robert D. Day, RNRF Executive Director, Bethesda, Md.
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9:15 am - 9:50 am
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Introduction
to Emerging Contaminants and Unintended Consequences
Sarah Gerould, Congress Chair and Bureau Program
Coordinator, Contaminant Biology Program, U.S. Geological Survey,
Reston, Va. [PDF
presentation]
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The speaker will define emerging
contaminants
including the wide variety of potential sources ranging from
manufacturing
to bio-terrorism, and the variability of contaminant types including
microorganisms,
nanoparticles, and chemical compounds. The presentation will include a
brief
introduction to the broad range of regulatory approaches and the myriad
impacts
that such contaminants can have on wildlife, human health, and
ecosystem
function. A brief characterization of the extent of contamination
(including
geography and quantity) will be included.The speaker also will
introduce
the case studies including why particular compounds were chosen and
what
is hoped to be accomplished through examination of these compounds.
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9:50
am - 10:15 am
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Discussion
and Questions
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10:15
am - 10:45 am
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Case
Study I: Pesticides and Metabolites/Degredates--Synthetic Pyrethroids
Joel Coats, Professor of Insecticide Toxicology, Iowa
State University, Ames, Iowa [PowerPoint Presentation]
[PDF version]
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Pesticides
and their metabolites or degradates have been detected in surface
and groundwater across the country. Agricultural runoff and nonpoint
source pollution from residential and commercial applications have
contributed to their widespread dispersion. Concerns have been raised
about the impact that these substances, their metabolites or degradates
(many of which can be more toxic than the parent compound) and mixtures
have on wildlife and humans. Use of synthetic pyrethroids has
increased, particularly in control of vectors of emerging diseases
(such as mosquitoes for West Nile virus). Pyrethroids are known to
be extremely toxic in aquatic ecosystems. However, little information
is
known about additional wildlife or human health impacts. The
speaker will focus on known and suspected impacts on the environment,
and human and wildlife health, including the unintended or
unanticipated consequences. Existing regulatory mechanisms and
opportunities for overcoming perceived ineffectiveness, along with
research, monitoring, and public education needs will be examined.
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10:45 am - 11:15 am
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Discussion
and Questions
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11:15
am - 11:35 am
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Break
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11:35
am - 12:05 pm
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Case
Study II: Pharmaceuticals
Christian Daughton, Chief, Environmental Chemistry
Branch,
National Exposure Research Laboratory, Environmental Protection Agency,
Las
Vegas, Nev. [PowerPoint
Presentation] [PDF
version]
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Pharmaceuticals and personal care
products
range from prescription
drugs to over-the-counter medicines and caffeine. These contaminants
can
enter the environment through the disposal of expired prescriptions (by
flushing
into the wastewater stream or leaching from landfills) or excretion due
to
partial metabolization. Antibiotic and hormone use in Concentrated
Animal
Feedlot Operations (CAFOs) have raised concerns about pharmaceutical
introductions
into local water bodies. These products are suspected of contributing
to
rising incidences of cancer and genetic defects in fish and amphibian
populations.
Other wildlife and humans also may be at risk. The speaker will direct
attention
to some of these risks and other suspected environmental, human and
wildlife
health impacts. Regulatory deficiencies, and research, monitoring, and
public
education needs also will be discussed.
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12:05
pm - 12:35 pm
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Discussion
and Questions
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12:45
pm - 1:45 pm
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Lunch
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1:45
pm - 2:15 pm
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Case
Study III: Industrial Chemicals--Brominated Flame Retardants
Carl Orazio, Chief,
Environmental Chemistry Branch, Columbia Environmental Research Center,
U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, Mo. [PDF presentation]
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Numerous
chemicals designed to meet perceived societal and manufacturing needs
are developed and produced annually. However, many of these chemicals
are introduced with little thought (or understanding) of how they will
impact humans, ecosystems, or wildlife. Recent contaminants of concern
include MTBE, PFOSs, and PBDEs. Brominated flame retardants (PBDEs)
appear in many everyday products ranging from computers to carpeting
and upholstery. With their widespread use, concerns related to disposal
and off gassing have surfaced. They are suspected of being
bioaccumulative, persistent, and widely dispersed throughout the
environment, and pose a risk to the environment and human and wildlife
health. Europe and
California have taken steps to regulate these substances, but further
U.S.
action has stalled. Current efforts to regulate such chemicals and
opportunities to overcome existing regulatory shortcomings will be
discussed. Known and suspected human and wildlife health impacts, along
with other environmental effects will be examined. Needs within the
scientific and educational communities for better understanding and
mitigation of such effects also will be presented.
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2:15
pm - 2:45 pm
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Discussion
and Questions
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2:45
pm - 3:15 pm
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Case
Study IV: Nanoparticles
Clayton Teague,
Director,
Federal National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, Washington, D.C.
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Nanotechnology
has been touted as the next industrial revolution. Manufacturers and
researchers are developing and utilizing nanoparticles at a fast pace.
However, there is little knowledge or examination of potential
consequences to human health and the environment. Early research has
shown that the comparatively large surface area can increase toxicity.
Inhaled particles are believed to penetrate deep into the lungs where
they can move into other parts of the body including the liver and
brain. There are concerns about the
extent to which existing regulatory mechanisms can address human and
wildlife health and environmental concerns. The speaker will examine
how
nanoscale materials and products are being covered under existing
regulatory
structures, and how the regulatory agencies are evaluating and will
continue
to evaluate the efficacy of those structures.
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3:15 pm -
3:45 pm |
Discussion/Questions |
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3:45 pm -
4:30 pm
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Delegate Round Table
Discussion: Regional Experiences
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Informal discussion
of
delegate experiences in monitoring and mitigating the effects of
contaminants
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4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
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Reception
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Friday, December 2, 2005
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8:30
am - 9:00 am
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Continental
Breakfast
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9:00
am - 9:35 am
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How Can We Improve
Our Environmental
Relationship with New Chemicals?
Mary O'Brien, author, Making Better Environmental Decisions: An
Alternative to Risk Assessment, Eugene, Ore. [PowerPoint Presentation]
[PDF version]
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9:35
am - 10:00 am
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Discussion
and Questions
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10:00
am - 10:10 am
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Explanation of
Working Group Procedures
Ryan M. Colker, RNRF Director of Programs, Bethesda, Md.
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10:10
am - 10:30 am
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Break
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10:30
am - 11:40 am
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Working Group Session I
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11:40 am - 12:40 pm
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Working
Group Session II
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12:40
pm - 1:40 pm
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Lunch
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1:40
pm - 2:40 pm
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Working
Group Session III
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2:40
pm - 3:00 pm
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Break
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3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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Working
Group Session IV
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4:00
pm - 4:15 pm
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Necessary
Next Steps and Concluding Remarks
Robert D. Day, RNRF
Executive Director, Bethesda, Md.
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