ARS | Publication request: Environmental research to improve food safety

Submitted to: Internet Web Page
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: April 14, 2012
Publication Date: April 14, 2012
Citation: Pachepsky, L., Pachepsky, Y.A., Shelton, D.R., Van Kessel, J.S. 2012. Environmental research to improve food safety. Internet Web Page. Available: www.ars.usda.gov/research/docs.htm?docid=22497

Interpretive Summary: Field experimental research by environmental scientists is rarely popularized and explained. Much more attention is devoted to monitoring research work which, albeit much needed and respected, cannot provide the same level of insight as a designed experiment can. The Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory regularly designs and runs experiments to elucidate the fate and transport of organisms indicative of water contamination. This video provides an in-depth presentation of one such experiment. The video includes an introduction providing an overview of the history of the experimental site design and equipment and the objectives and design of the experiment on E. coli release from manure. Sampling during the experiment are demonstrated and finally the value and further use of the collected data are explained. The video is expected to be linked to the laboratory website to enhance information on lab activities. This video should primarily be useful for non scientists who are not familiar with experimenal field research.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this work is to demonstrate in a popular form how the EMFSL experimental environmental research looks and what results are expected. The research leader Dan Shelton explains the history and purpose of the research site creation. The information about the current field research group is presented. The project lead, Yakov Pachepsky, explains the current experiment setup and purpose as related to the produce safety. The support scientist, Randy Rowland, discusses the features of the experimental work. The sequence of operations during the experiment is briefly demonstrated. Dr. Pachepsky explains how the results of this experiment will be used in models that are applied in decision support to meet regulatory requirements and voluntary microbial safety goals. Placement of this material at the laboratory website will promote the awareness and understanding of field research activities in BARC.