Ecosystems Research Division

Contact info:
U.S. EPA
National Exposure Research Laboratory
960 College Station Rd.
Athens, GA 30605
richardson.susan@epa.gov
706-355-8304

Title: Research Chemist

Education:

• Ph.D., Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• B.S., Chemistry & Mathematics, Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA

Expertise/Research Interests:

Susan Richardson's research has focused on the identification of new disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water using GC/MS, LC/MS, and GC/IR; determination of formation mechanisms; and integration of toxicological characterization with chemical characterization approaches.  Currently, her work focuses on the toxicity-based identification of new DBPs, the toxicological and chemical evaluation of alternative disinfectant treatment scenarios (The Four Lab Study), mechanisms of formation of iodinated DBPs in chloraminated drinking waters, and comprehensive identification of disinfection by-products in chlorinated and brominated swimming pools.  Susan is particularly interested in promoting new health effects research so that the risks of DBPs can be determined and minimized.

Honors and Awards (selected):

• American Chemical Society Award for Creative Advances in Environmental Science & Technology (2008)
• Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Letters, honoris causa), Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, for ‘research contributions at the forefront of public health issues around drinking water (2006)’                       

Professional Activities:

• American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS):  Awards Committee (2008-2010); Treasurer (2002-2004); Nominations Committee (2006-2007);  Environmental Interest Group Chair (1998-2001)
• Editorial Board, Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry (2006-2009)
• American Chemical Society (ACS): Chair, Northeast Georgia Section (2003); Secretary, Northeast Georgia Section (2004-2007)
• University of Georgia Chapter of Sigma Xi:  President (2000-2001)
• American Water Works Association (AWWA):  Academic Achievement Award Committee (2003-2005)
• American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF): Currently serves on a Project Advisory Committee
• Active in the Environmental Division of the American Chemical Society, member of the American Water Works Association

Useful Publications:

Richardson, S. D., F. Fasano, J. J. Ellington, F. G. Crumley, K. M. Buettner, J. J. Evans, B. C. Blount, L. K. Silva, T. J. Waite, G. W. Luther, A. B. McKague, R. J. Miltner, E. D. Wagner, and M. J. Plewa.  2008.  Occurrence and Mammalian Cell Toxicity of Iodinated Disinfection Byproducts in Drinking Water.  Environ. Sci. Technol., 42 (22): 8330-8338.

Plewa, M. J., M. G. Muellner, S. D. Richardson, F. Fasano, K. M. Buettner, Y.-T. Woo, A. B. McKague, and E. D. Wagner.  2008.  Occurrence, Synthesis, and Genotoxicity of Haloacetamides:  An Emerging Class of Nitrogenous Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts.  Environ. Sci. Technol., 42 (3), 955-961.

Richardson, S. D., A. D. Thruston, Jr., S. W. Krasner, H. S. Weinberg, R. J. Miltner, M. G. Narotsky, and J. E. Simmons.  2008.  Integrated Disinfection Byproducts Mixtures Research: Comprehensive Characterization of Water Concentrates Prepared from Chlorinated and Ozonated/Postchlorinated Drinking Water.  J. Toxicol. Environ. Health, Pt. A, 71: 1165-1186.

Simmons, J. E., S. D. Richardson, T. F. Speth, R. J. Miltner, G. Rice, K. M. Schenck, E. S. Hunter, III, and L. K. Teuschler.  2008.  Research Issues Underlying the Four-Lab Study:  Integrated Disinfection Byproducts Mixtures Research.  J. Toxicol. Environ. Health, Pt. A, 71: 1125-1132.

Miltner, R. J., T. F. Speth, S. D. Richardson, S. W. Krasner, H. S. Weinberg, and J. E. Simmons.  2008.  Integrated Disinfection Byproducts Mixtures Research:  Disinfection of Drinking Waters by Chlorination and Ozonation/Postchlorination Treatment Scenarios.  J. Toxicol. Environ. Health, Pt. A, 71: 1133-1148.

Speth, T. F., R. J. Miltner, S. D. Richardson, and J. E. Simmons.  2008.  Integrated Disinfection Byproducts Mixtures Research:  Concentration by Reverse Osmosis Membrane Techniques of Disinfection Byproducts from Water Disinfected by Chlorination and Ozonation/Postchlorination.  J. Toxicol. Environ. Health, Pt. A, 71: 1149-1164.

Rice, G., L. K. Teuschler, S. D. Richardson, T. F. Speth, and J. E. Simmons. 2008.   Integrated Disinfection Byproducts Mixtures Research:  Assessing Reproductive and Developmental Risks Posed by Complex Disinfection Byproduct Mixtures.  J. Toxicol. Environ. Health, Pt. A, 71: 1222-1234.

Weisel, C. P., S. D. Richardson, B. Nemery, G. Aggazzotti, E. Baraldi, E. R. Blatchley, III, B. C. Blount, K-H. Carlsen, P. A. Eggleston, F. H. Frimmel, M. Goodman, G. Gordon, S. A. Grinshpun, D. Heederik, M. Kogenvinas, J. S. LaKind, M. J. Nieuwenhuijsen, F. C. Piper, S. A. Sattar.  2008.  Childhood Asthma and Environmental Exposures at Swimming Pools:  State of the Science and Research Recommendations.  Environ. Health Perspect., in press.

Weinberg, H.S., S.W. Krasner, S.D. Richardson, and A.D. Thruston, Jr.  2002.  The Occurrence of Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) of Health Concern in Drinking Water: Results of a Nationwide DBP Occurrence Study.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA. Publication No. EPA/600/R-02/068 (PDF, 460 pp., 9.2 MB, about PDF).

Muellner, M. G., E. D. Wagner, K. McCalla, S. D. Richardson, Y.-T. Wood, and M. J. Plewa. 2007.  Haloacetonitriles vs. Regulated Haloacetic Acids:  Are Nitrogen Containing DBPs More Toxic?  Environ. Sci. Technol. 41 (2): 645-651.

Zwiener, C., S. D. Richardson, D. M. DeMarini, T. Grummt, T. Glauner, and F. H. Frimmel.  2007.  Drowining in Disinfection By-Products?  Swimming Pool Water Quality Reconsidered.  Environ. Sci. Technol. 41 (2): 363-372.

Plewa, M. J., M. G. Muellner, S. D. Richardson, F. Fasano, K. M. Buettner, Y.-T. Woo, A. B. McKague, and E. D. Wagner.  2007.  Occurrence, Synthesis, and Mammalian Cell Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Haloacetamides:  An Emerging Class of Nitrogenous Drinking Water Disinfection By-Product. Environ. Sci. Technol., 42 (3): 955-961.

Richardson. S. D. 2008.  Environmental Mass Spectrometry:  Emerging Contaminants and Current Issues.  Anal. Chem., 80(12): 4373-4402. 

Richardson, S. D., C. Rav-Acha, and G. D. Simpson.  2009.  Chlorine Dioxide Chemistry, Reactions, and Disinfection By-Products.  In Chlorine Dioxide in Drinking Water Treatment, American Water Works Association Research Foundation, in press.

Richardson, S. D., M. J. Plewa, E. D. Wagner, R. Schoeny, and D. M. DeMarini.  Occurrence, Genotoxicity, and Carcinogenicity of Emerging Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water:  A Review and Roadmap for Research.  2007.  Mutat. Res., 636: 178-242. 

Richardson, S. D.  Water Analysis:  Emerging Contaminants and Current Issues.  2007.  Anal. Chem., 79(12): 4295-4324.

Krasner, S. W., H. S. Weinberg, S. D. Richardson, S. Pastor, R. Chinn, M. J. Sclimenti, G. Onstad, and A. D. Thruston, Jr.  2006.  The Occurrence of a New Generation of Disinfection Byproducts.  Environmental Science & Technology, 40 (23): 7175-7185. 

Richardson. S. D. Environmental Mass Spectrometry:  Emerging Contaminants and Current Issues.  2006.  Analytical Chemistry, 78 (12): 4021-4046.

Richardson, S. D., and  T. Ternes.  2005.  Water Analysis:  Emerging Contaminants and Current Issues.  Analytical Chemistry, 77(12): 3807-3838.

Cemeli, E., E. D. Wagner, D. Anderson, S. D. Richardson, and M. J. Plewa.  2006.  Modulation of the Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of the Drinking Water DBP Iodoacetic Acid by Suppressors of Oxidative Stress. Environmental Science & Technology, 40 (6): 1878-1883.

Vincenti, M., S. Biazzi, N. Ghiglione, M. C. Valsania, and S. D. Richardson.  2005.  Comparison of Highly- Fluorinated Chloroformates as Direct Aqueous Sample Derivatizing Agents for Hydrophilic Analytes and Drinking Water Disinfection By-Products.  Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 16 (6): 803-813.

Plewa, M. J., E. D. Wagner, S. D. Richardson, A. D. Thruston, Jr., Y.-T. Woo, and A. B. McKague.  2004.  Chemical and Biological Characterization of Newly Discovered Iodoacid Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts. Environmental Science & Technology, 38(18): 4713-4722.

Zwiener, C., and S. D. Richardson.  2005.  Drinking Water Disinfection By-Product Analysis by LC/MS and LC/MS/MS.  Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 24(7): 613-621.  (Invited review article for special thematic issue on Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry).

Plewa, M. J., E. D. Wagner, P. Jazwierska, S. D. Richardson, P. H. Chen, and A. B. McKague.  2004.  Halonitromethane Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts: Chemical Characterization and Mammalian Cell Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity.  Environmental Science & Technology, 38(1): 62-68.

Kundu, B., S. D. Richardson, P. D. Swartz, P. P. Matthews, A. M. Richard, and D. M. DeMarini.  2004.  Mutagenicity in Salmonella of Halonitrometanes: A Recently Recognized Class of Disinfection By-Product in Drinking Water.  Mutation Research, 562: 39-65.

Kundu, B., S. D. Richardson, C. A. Granville, D. T. Shaughnessy, N. M. Hanley, P. D. Swartz, A. M. Richard, and D. M. DeMarini.  2004.  Comparative Mutagenicity of Halomethanes and Halonitromethanes in Salmonella TA100: Structure-Activity Analysis and Mutation Spectra.  Mutation Research, 554: 335-350.

Richardson, S. D.  2004.  Environmental Mass Spectrometry:  Emerging Contaminants and Current Issues.  Analytical Chemistry, 76(12): 3337-3364.

Simmons, J. E., L. K. Teuschler, C. Gennings, T. F. Speth, S. D. Richardson, R. J. Miltner, M. G. Narotsky, K. D. Schenck, E. S. Hunter, III, R. C. Hertzberg, III, and G. Rice.  2004.  Component-Based and Whole-Mixture Techniques for Addressing the Toxicity of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts Mixtures.  Journal of Toxicology & Environmental Health, 67: 741-754.

Richardson, S.D., J. E. Simmons, and G. Rice.  2002.  DBPs: The Next Generation.  Environmental Science & Technology, 36(9): 198A-205A.
Woo, Y.-T., D. Lai, J. L. McLain, M. K. Manibusan, and V. Dellarco.  2002.  Environmental Health Perspectives, 110 (Suppl. 1): 75-87.

Richardson, S. D., A. D. Thruston, Jr., C. Rav-Acha, L. Groisman, I. Popilevsky, V. Glezer, A. B. McKague, M. J. Plewa, and E. D. Wagner.  2003.  Tribromopyrrole and Other DBPs Produced by the Disinfection of Drinking Water Rich in Bromide.  Environmental Science & Technology, 37(17): 3782-3793.

Richardson, S. D.  2003.  Water Analysis:  Emerging Contaminants and Current Issues.  Analytical Chemistry, 75(12): 2831-2857.

Richardson, S. D.  2003.  Disinfection By-Products and Other Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water.  Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 22(10):666-684.

Chen, P. H., S. D. Richardson, S. W. Krasner, G. Majetich, and G. L. Glish.  2002.  Hydrogen Abstraction and Decomposition of Tribromonitromethane and Other Trihalo Compounds by GC/MS.  Environmental Science & Technology, 36(15): 3362-3371.

Simmons, J. E., S. D. Richardson, T. F. Speth, R. J. Miltner, G. Rice, K. M. Schenck, E. S. Hunter, III, and L. K. Teuschler.  2002.  Development of a Research Strategy for Integrated Technology-Based Toxicological and Chemical Evaluation of Complex Mixtures of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts.  Environmental Health Perspectives, 110(Supp. 6): 1013-1024.

Arbuckle, T. E., S. E. Hrudey, S. W. Krasner, J. R. Nuckols, S. D. Richardson, P. Singer, P. Mendola, L. Dodds, C. Weisel, D. L. Ashley, K. L. Froese, R. A. Pegram, I. R. Schultz, J. Reif,  A. M. Bachand, F. M. Benoit, M. Lynberg, C. Poole, and K. Waller.  2002.  Assessing Exposure in Epidemiologic Studies to Disinfection By-products in Drinking Water: Report from an International Workshop.  Environmental Health Perspectives, 110 (Supp. 1): 53-60.

Richardson, S. D., T. V. Caughran, T. Poiger, Y. Guo, and F. G. Crumley.  2000.  Application of DNPH Derivatization with LC/MS to the Identification of Polar Carbonyl Disinfection By-products in Drinking Water.  Ozone: Science & Engineering, 22: 653-675.

Richardson, S. D., A. D. Thruston, Jr., T. V. Caughran, P. H. Chen, T. W. Collette, T. L. Floyd, K. M. Schenck, B. W. Lykins, Jr., G.-R. Sun, and G. Majetich.  1999.  Identification of New Ozone Disinfection By-products in Drinking Water.  Environmental Science & Technology, 33: 3368-3377.

Richardson, S. D., A. D. Thruston, Jr., T. V. Caughran, P. H. Chen, T. W. Collette, T. L. Floyd, K. M. Schenck, B. W. Lykins, Jr., G.-R. Sun, and G. Majetich.  1999.  Identification of New Drinking Water Disinfection By-products Formed in the Presence of Bromide.  Environmental Science & Technology, 33: 3378-3383.

Richardson, S. D., A. D. Thruston, Jr., T. V. Caughran, P. H. Chen, T. W. Collette, K. M.  Schenck, B. W. Lykins, Jr., C. Rav-Acha, and V. Glezer.  2000.  Identification of New Drinking Water Disinfection By-products from Ozone, Chlorine Dioxide, Chloramine, and Chlorine.  Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 123: 95-102.

Current Projects:

• Toxicity-based identification of drinking water disinfection by-products
• Integrated disinfection by-products mixtures research:  toxicological and chemical evaluation of alternative disinfectant treatment scenarios (The Four Lab Study)--involves collaboration among four of EPA's national laboratories and centers (NHEERL, NERL, NRMRL, and NCEA)
• Determining mechanisms of formation for iodinated DBPs in chloraminated drinking waters
• Comprehensive identification of disinfection by-products in chlorinated and brominated  swimming pools