Research Questions and Current Funding As I have noted, this p | Aprenda como utilizar o Dióxido de Cloro

Research Questions and Current Funding
As I have noted, this problem is a complex and multifaceted one. There are some important research questions that remain unaddressed (at least in the open literature). These include the following:

· What are the disinfectant concentration-time relationships yielding specific levels of inactivation and how are these affected by temperature, humidity and other environmental variables?

· What simulants can be used to determine inactivation of target pathogens? The particular simulant(s) may be functions of the disinfection technology used. Can these simulants be used as reliable ways to verify the efficiency of a decontamination process after execution?

· What is the dose-response relationship for human infection/illness with various target organisms and given a desired residual risk level what residual organism level(s) would be acceptable?

· What are the decomposition rates of chlorine dioxide and other disinfecting agents in a building environment, and what (if any) byproducts might be produced from these reactions? Are there undesirable effects on materials?

· What time lags exist to penetration of a gaseous disinfectant into all interior spaces that need to be disinfected? Can these be estimated by empirical rules or tests? Can sensors be developed to assess gaseous concentrations on a real time basis?

· What is the appropriate way in which to deploy verification samples prior to decontamination (both location and number), and what are the practical levels of inactivation that can be verifiably achieved?



As with the execution of a decontamination program, the conduct of research to answer the questions posed above will require investigators (both government and extramural) from a diversity of disciplines, and from a diversity of agencies. The problem posed is one that involves elements of engineering, basic sciences (microbiology, chemistry) and applied sciences and practice (medicine, public health, toxicology, risk assessment). There is no single federal agency with a clear and unambiguous portfolio in all of these areas, and therefore multi-agency coordination in developing the required research effort will also be necessary.

Concluding Remarks
Mr. Chairman, and Members; I thank you for the opportunity to present my remarks, and hope that they will be useful in understanding and responding to the present situation. I look forward to answering your questions.

References
1.Aieta, E., and J. Berg. 1986. A Review of Chlorine Dioxide in Drinking Water Treatment. Journal of the American Water Works Association. 78(6):62-72.

2.Aston, R., and J. Synan. 1948. Chlorine Dioxide as a Bactericide in Waterworks Operation. Journal of the New England Water Works Association. 62:80.

3.Barbeau, B., L. Boulos, R. Desjardins, J. Coallier, and M. Prevost. 1999. Examining the Use of Aerobic Spore Forming Bacteria to Assess the Efficiency of Chlorination. Water Research. 33(13):2941-8.

4.Benarde, M. A., et al. 1967. Kinetics and Mechanism of Bacterial Disinfection by Chlorine Dioxide. Applied Microbiology. 15(2):257.

5.Brachman, P. S., A. F. Kaufmann, and F. G. Dalldorf. 1966. Industrial Inhalation Anthrax. Bacteriological Reviews. 30(3):646-656.

6.Chauret, C. P., C. Z. Radziminski, M. Lepuil, R. Creason, and R. C. Andrews. 2001. Chlorine Dioxide Inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts and Bacterial Spore Indicators. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 67(7):2993-3001.

7.Chick, H. 1908. An Investigation of the Laws of Disinfection. Journal of Hygiene. 8:92-157.

8.Chung, K. C. 1999. Three-Dimensional Analysis of Airflow and Contaminant Particle Transport in a Partitioned Enclosure. Building and Environment. 34:7-17.

9.Dietrich, A. M., M. P. Orr, D. L. Gallagher, and R. C. Hoehn. 1992. Tastes and Odors Associated with Chlorine Dioxide. Journal of the American Water Works Association. 84(6):82-88.