[USCC] Prion Disease Research Waste Management Practices at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa

[Jim McNelly]

*   Prion Disease Research Waste Management Practices at the National 
Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa - A Scientific Review Panel of 
the USDA Agricultural Research Service will meet on August 23 in Ames 
to address waste management procedures at the Center - In announcing 
the meeting, ARS notes that " ... On May 4, 2006, the City of Ames 
received allegations that wastes from areas at the National Animal 
Disease Center (NADC) with animals challenged with prions were not 
properly treated prior to discharge to the City wastewater plant. 
USDA, in cooperation with the City of Ames, is convening an expert 
panel to review scientific information about deactivation of prions 
and assess practices used at NADC to treat liquid wastes from areas 
where animals with prions are housed and handled that enter the Ames 
wastewater treatment system. (Note: For the purposes of this panel 
and its review, prions are defined as specific proteins that are 
abnormally shaped and can cause transmissible diseases associated 
with the allegations). This meeting will initiate implementation of 
the panel's charge to evaluate four main issues related to the 
handling and disposal of potentially prion-contaminated materials in 
wastewater from the NADC: (1) Identify scientifically accepted 
methods for effectively destroying prions; (2) Assess the concerns 
raised regarding NADC's current and past methods for the destruction 
of prions; (3) Determine the risk posed to humans and the environment 
from the current, as well as previous, methods for the destruction of 
prions utilized at NADC; and (4) If remediation is needed, provide 
scientifically sound approaches for corrective action(s) that may be 
taken. Final conclusions of the review will be developed during a 
meeting at a later date, also to be announced. At the conclusion of 
its review, the panel will prepare a written report that documents 
the panel's findings for the four main issues being evaluated ..." - 
ARS Contact: Steven Shafer, Midwest Area Director at 309 681 6602; 
fax: 309 681 6684; e-mail: 
<mailto:SShafer at MWA.ARS.USDA.gov>SShafer at MWA.ARS.USDA.gov - USDA ARS 
August 16 Federal Register: 
<http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/06-6987.htm>http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/06-6987.htm 




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