Oral

Approximately 100,000 chemicals are currently registered for use in the US, yet we know very little about their environmental fate, whether they are absorbed into our bodies, or whether they have an effect on our health. This session focuses on emerging contaminants, particularly ones associated with water. Over the past few years, legislatures, the media and the public focused heavily on emerging exposures, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products in drinking water or bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles. Speakers will address (1) risk communication strategies, (2) models that predict which compounds will be present in drinking water, (3) a new exposure pathway for BPA (fish ingestion) and (4) microbial contamination of soap. Hopefully, the 20-minute discussion session will allow for a broad discussion of strategies to address emerging contaminants: research priorities, surveillance systems, policies, laws, communications etc.

Session Objectives: • Describe risk communication for emerging contaminants associated with drinking water. • List at least three pharmaceutical compounds predicted to be present in drinking water over the next 20 years. • Describe two specific emerging exposure risks: ingestion of BPA-contaminated fish and use of microbial-contaminated soaps.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)