Page Last Updated July 6, 2023

Emerging Contaminants Working Group

The Emerging Contaminants Working Group will provide the industry with current information on emerging contaminants to support informed decisions and effectively managing risks. As emerging contaminants become known, the Working Group will work to understand and educate industry colleagues on the issues posed and potential approaches to eliminate risk. The Working Group will develop informational/educational programs that discuss a wide range of topics that will address the challenges associated with the evolving world of Emerging Contaminants.

Examples of contaminants this group will work on include but are not limited to:

  • PFAS – Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
  • 1,4-Dioxane
  • Microplastics
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Harmful algal blooms
  • Virus’/Bacteria

Program topics include:

  • Characterization techniques (i.e. sampling and analytical)
  • Fate and transport
  • Potential remediation strategies
  • Toxicology
  • Human health and ecological risk assessment
  • State and federal regulations
  • Legal implications associated with these contaminants

And work with Federal and State agencies that include:

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • New England state environmental regulatory agencies