Agenda
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Keynote Presentations
Contaminants of Emerging Concern: New Environmental Challenges
Presented by Dana Kolpin – Research Hydrologist, United States Geological Survey
Abstract: Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) encompass a vast array of understudied environmental contaminants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, hormones, personal care products and their transformation products) and are derived from a variety of natural, municipal, domestic, agricultural, and industrial waste sources and pathways to the environment. New analytical methods are continually being developed that are ever expanding the detection capabilities and therefore the scope and range of contaminants covered under this broad contaminant category. There is growing concern that such CECs may be bioactive and interactive (e.g., additive, synergistic, antagonistic effects) and potentially cause deleterious effects to ecosystem and human health. In particular, chronic, behavioral effects (e.g., altered predator avoidance patterns, etc.) are being documented following exposure to select CECs at environmentally relevant concentrations. This talk will summarize the latest CEC research being conducted by the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program.
Biography: Dana Kolpin is a research hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey in Iowa City, Iowa, and has been the project chief of the USGS Toxic Program’s Emerging Contaminants Project since its inception in 1998. His research interests include the fate and transport of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other emerging contaminants in the environment. He has published over 100 papers and reports on environmental contaminants. He received his B.S. degree from Iowa State University and his M.S. from the University of Iowa, both in geology.
More than Hormones: Endocrine Disrupting Impacts of Emerging Contaminants and Potential Solutions
Presented by Rebecca Klaper – Professor and Director of the Great Lakes Genomics Center at the School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Abstract: The discovery of intersex fish in freshwater systems around the world has been suggested as an indicator of the widespread occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds in aquatic ecosystems. Multiple compounds from wastewater treatment, leaky infrastructure, and urban and agricultural runoff may potentially be the cause, however, synthetic estrogens from birth-control medications are often identified as a likely cause. However, the impact of other pharmaceuticals and emerging contaminants which have also been found in even larger concentrations in wastewater and surface waters remain largely unknown. Our research has shown that other medications as well as plasticizers and pesticides may also cause changes in hormone levels, reproduction, and behavior that impact reproduction. Metformin is one such medication. Prescribed for Type II diabetes, the prescription rates for this medication have grown significantly in the last 20 years for a variety of reasons. This talk will describe the impacts of this medication on the endocrine system of fish. In addition, the presentation will discuss the potential solutions that are being explored or could be explored to provide solutions to emerging contaminants that are found to be hazardous.
Biography: Rebecca Klaper is Professor and Director of the Great Lakes Genomics Center in the School of Freshwater Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Klaper and her lab study (1) the potential impact of emerging contaminants, such as nanoparticles and pharmaceuticals on aquatic life, (2) how to design these chemicals to minimize their environmental impact, and (3) links between the impact of these chemicals on the health of aquatic species and human health. She has served as a technical expert to the Alliance for the Great Lakes and the International Joint Commission regarding the potential impacts of PPCPs and other emerging contaminants on the Great Lakes. She has also served as a technical expert in reviewing the EPA White Paper on the environmental impact of nanotechnologies and their research strategy for nanotechnology. Dr. Klaper received her Ph.D. in ecology from the Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, her M.S. in entomology from UGA, and her B.S. in honors biology at the University of Illinois.
The Role of Veterinarians in Proper Pharmaceutical Disposal
Presented by Kristi Henderson – Director, Division of Animal and Public Health, American Veterinary Medical Association
Abstract: The discussion will present AVMA’s pharmaceutical disposal best management practices, resources, and professional and public outreach.
Biography: Kristi Henderson is the director of the Division of Animal and Public Health at the American Veterinary Medical Association. She is the staff consultant to the AVMA Committee on Environmental Issues, which addresses pharmaceutical disposal. Dr. Henderson earned her DVM from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996, and prior to joining AVMA staff in 2009, she utilized her degree as a private practitioner, visiting teaching associate, and federal veterinary medical officer.
The Impact of Proposed EPA Regulations on the Disposal of PPCPs*
Presented by Charlotte Smith – Senior Regulatory Advisor and Mary Hendrickson – Chief Regulatory Consultant, both from PharmEcology Services, WM Sustainability Services
Abstract: The EPA recently closed the comment period on the most sweeping proposed changes to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations pertaining to the management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and personal care products since its inception in 1976. If adopted, how will these regulations alter the management of hazardous waste PPCPs? What impact will the regulations have on the disposal of non-hazardous waste PPCPs? How can the scientific community respond best to EPA’s request for guidance on totally revamping the definition of hazardous waste PPCPs? These are some of the questions this session will explore. Participants will be encouraged to enter into dialog with EPA regarding the next step in meeting its mandate by the EPA Office of Inspector General to update the list of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals based on the entry of thousands of drug entities into the marketplace in the past 40 years.
Biographies:
Charlotte Smith is Senior Regulatory Advisor, PharmEcology Services, a business unit of WM Sustainability Services. She founded PharmEcology Associates, LLC in 2000 and sold the company to Waste Management in 2009. She co-founded Capital Returns, Inc., a nationally known pharmaceutical reverse distributor in 1991 and for 10 years served as president and chief regulatory advisor. Ms. Smith is a registered pharmacist who received her BS in Pharmacy and MS in Continuing and Vocational Education from the University of Wisconsin. She is a member of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). She can be reached at 713-725-6363 and at csmith@pharmecology.com.
Mary Hendrickson is Chief Regulatory Consultant, PharmEcology Services, a business unit of WM Sustainability Services. She has extensive experience in healthcare and distribution management including years of regulatory leadership experience at one of the largest reverse pharmaceutical distributors. Mary has a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. She is a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society and the Food and Drug Law Institute. She can be reached at 262-649-6914 or at MLHendrickson129@gmail.com.
*Note: Video and slides are not available for this presentation.