Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115216

Max Zarate¹, Jocelyn Wilcox², and Mary A. Glascoff, MSN, EdD¹. (1) College of Health and Human Performance/Department of Health Education and Promotion/Environmental Health and Safety Program, East Carolina University, 315 Allied Health Belk Building, Greenville, NC 27858, (252) 328-5597, zaratem@mail.ecu.edu, (2) MPH Program, East Carolina University, Lakeside Annex #3, Greenville, NC 27858

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP's) describe a broad group of chemicals, including prescription or over the counter medicines, hormones, perfumes, and other personal care products that humans use for a variety of purposes. The occurrence of PPCP's in natural waters has gathered increased attention in North Carolina since its identification by water researchers and inclusion in current research policies in the state. As population in the southern states is growing dramatically, including rural settings, PPCP's entering the environment must be increasingly variable in quality and quantity. An initial step to effectively reduce the amount of PPCP's discharged in natural waters is to ensure that water officials and members of the community are aware of this problem. This paper presents initial efforts to gather information from water and wastewater companies in eastern North Carolina along the Tar-Pamlico River. Step by step methodology is explained to (1) identify the companies, (2) determine their geographic location and accessibility, and (3) develop an appropriate survey to gather data regarding perceptions on PPCP's of water and wastewater plants operators in settings that are predominantly rural.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze and discuss the prospects of water research policy in North Carolina
• Recognize key contributors to shaping current water policy research
• List indicators that may help in developing participatory approaches to water policy making

Keywords: Water Quality, Rural Communities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.