2023 Water Disinfection, Byproducts and Health Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar

Gordon Research Conferences, East Greenwich RI

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are an unintended consequence of the application of chemical disinfectants/oxidants for drinking water disinfection. Since some of these DBPs are toxic, a balance has to be found to provide microbiologically safe drinking water while DBPs are kept at the minimum. Despite a significant effort over the last decades this problem has not been solved satisfactorily, partially due to non- wholistic approaches. The Gordon Research Conference on “Water Disinfection, Disinfection Byproducts and Health”, which was initiated in 2006 has contributed significantly to a better management of drinking water disinfection by a strongly interdisciplinary approach. The proposed 2023 GRC is the 7th meeting of this successful series. It will comprise of 9 sessions, which will cover all important factors of microbial drinking water quality, disinfection and byproduct formation and human health implications. The program was developed to embrace a wholistic approach including both cutting edge research and its implications for provision of drinking water in the 21st century and beyond. The conference will cover 5 general main areas of importance also including aspects of future impaired quality of water resources: (1) Microbial and chemical quality of drinking water and health implications, (2) detection of novel DBPs and their toxicity, (3) mechanisms of DBP formation, (4) exposure to DBPs and epidemiological consequences, (5) development of novel drinking water strategies and regulatory guidelines. The success of the 2023 GRC will be based on a well-balanced selection of invited speakers and discussion leaders from different academic and practical fields. The 2023 Gordon Research Conference entitled “Water Disinfection, Disinfection Byproducts and Health: Challenges of Disinfection and Oxidation Processes to Provide Safe Drinking Water in a Changing World” will be held at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA from July 30 - August 4, 2023. A Gordon Research Seminar (July 29-30, 2023) will precede the GRC and provide an opportunity for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early career scientists to present their scientific work and interact in an informal manner, which will be an important step for the education of the next generation of environmental health experts. GRS attendees are encouraged to also register and attend the GRC to follow. This GRC/GRS is in line with the mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to “advance research on environmental triggers of disease” and “foster training and development of young environmental health scientists and practitioners”.