Profile

Dr. Pentella is the public health medical microbiologist at the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory and holds an adjunct faculty position with the University of Iowa College of Public Health. He received his B.S. degree in microbiology from Ohio State University, his M.S. degree in clinical microbiology from Thomas Jefferson University, and his Ph.D. degree in Infectious Disease from the University of South Florida,College of Public Health. Before attending USF, Dr. Pentella, was the clinical microbiologist at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, Florida, where he supervised a staff of 15 medical technologists.

He has over thirty years experience in the clinical microbiology laboratory and over twenty years experience in hospital infection control and epidemiology. He has twenty five years of management experience at multiple levels in health care organizations. After completing his degree, he joined the faculty of the University of South Florida,College of Public Health,in the Environmental and Occupational Health Department where he was an assistant professor and director of the infection control certificate program. He holds a certificate as a specialist in microbiology from the American Society for Clinical Pathology and is certified in infection control through the Association of Professionals in Infection Control. He has written over 18 articles and two book chapters. Dr. Pentella's interests are in infectious disease prevention, biodefense, antimicrobial resistance, foodborne pathogens and emerging infectious diseases. Dr. Pentella is active in bioterrorism response preparedness throughout Iowa and serves on several committees.

Dissertation Title

Reduction of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcal (VRE) transmission in an acute care facility through apropriate disinfectant use.

Dissertation

This work was significant in that it demonstrated the importance of environmental sources in transmission of VRE. Prior to these findings, the literature focused on reduction of vancomycin usage as the primary means to reduce VRE nosocomial infections. The study demonstrated that disinfectants were often diluted inappropriately in the hospital setting. By using a conductivity meter, it was determined that dilutions of disinfectants were incorrect on 86% of the cleaning carts tested. Through implementation of a quality improvement program, the dilutions of disinfectants was corrected and subsequently the number of infections due to VRE decreased. By focusing on disinfection of the environment a signification reduction of incidence of VRE was observed.

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Profile

My current position is "Environmental Research Coordinator" for the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County. My responsibilities include, but are not limited to

1. Environmental research and analysis on chemical releases into the air, land and water.
2. Risk assesements on the same.
3. Community-based risk assessments on air toxic exposures from county-inspected facilities.
4. Community, Hillsborough County Commission, State and EPA representation, when necessary, in order to elucidate air, water and soil pollution results.
5. Research and analysis of past data from monitoring sites set up around the County for criteria pollutants, as well as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), investigating trends that are occurring at monitoring sites and siting potential "hot spots" around the County.
6. Investigate chemical fate and transport within Hillsborough County, with possible impact into the surrounding counties.
7. Recommend courses of action for agency to take due to transport, with recommendations of possible field studies.
8. Modeling to support the permitting division.
9. Modeling to investigate pollutant levels.

Dissertation Title

Risk characterization of air pollutants in Pinellas County and Hillsborough County, Florida

Dissertation

My dissertation focused on contaminants (hazardous air toxics, HAPS or air pollutants) measured in outdoor air at six monitoring locations in the two counties between January 1 and December 31, 2001. Samples were collected over a 24-hour period every six days from three types of monitors at each of the six locations. Samples were analyzed for 12 carbonyls, 40 volatile organic compounds and 10 metals. Air sampling results were used to estimate risks of chronic health effects (cancer and non-cancer) due to inhalation of ambient air by residents. Results were calculated for both a reasonable maximum exposure level (RME) and a central tendency exposure (e.g. average) level (CTE).

Results:
In the assessment of chronic non-cancer hazard quotients, formaldehyde and chromium were at or above a value of one at several locations based on RME parameters. A hazard quotient greater than one indicates exposure higher than a presumed "safe concentration" and adverse non-cancer health effects may occur. Total hazard quotients, called hazard indices for both chemicals, based on RME parameters, ranged from a value of 1 to 2 for an adult and from a value of 3 to 5 for a child resident.

In the assessment of lifetime risks of cancer, estimated risks of cancer for the RME parameters were at or above a level of one excess case of cancer in one million people exposed (1 x 10-6) for 17 chemicals. Chloromethane, chloroform, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dibromoethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, hexachlorobutadiene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, arsenic, chromium, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, tetrachloroethene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene and nickel each posed an increased risk of cancer greater than 1 x 10-6 at one or more of the locations. Total RME incremental increased risks of cancer summed over all chemicals at the six sampling locations ranged from 7.46 x 10-5 to 8.9 x 10-5, for a 30-year exposure. The possible impacts on public health from ambient air pollution in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties may include cancer and non-cancer effects, and include pollutants produced by motor vehicles, stationary sources, and area sources.

The dissertation conclusions were shortened into an executive summary and report, and sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) for approval and addition into their toxics-based program.

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Profile

Dr. Rene' R. Salazar holds an undergraduate degree in microbiology, and Masters of Public Health and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of South Florida College of Public Health. Soon after completion of his doctorate studies, Dr. Salazar became a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), and established Salazar Consulting Group, Inc. (SCG), a group of environmental, occupational, and public health consultants. Beginning as a sole practitioner in 1999, Dr. Salazar has grown the firm to seven employees, with technical associates holding masters and doctorates degrees, and industrial hygiene certifications. Based in Tampa, Florida, SCG is recognized as a federal government 8(a) and Florida-certified minority business enterprise.

SCG provides comprehensive industrial hygiene services nationwide, specializing in exposure assessments of biological and chemical agents, health and safety program development and implementation, indoor environmental quality investigations, mold exposure assessments and remediation strategies, and OSHA compliance audits. SCG's broad client base includes fourteen Florida school districts, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Center, J. A. Haley Veterans Hospital, DowAgroSciences, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Tampa Electric Company, Progress Energy, US Home Corporation, Pulte Homes, the BIC Company, SunTrust Banks, Verizon Data Services, Cargill, Blockbuster Video, Holland & Knight, Shook Hardy Bacon, Carlton Fields, The Hartford, USAA Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance Company, State Farm Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Group, and many other reputable organizations. Expansion of Salazar Consulting Group, Inc. to other Florida locations is anticipated in the near future.

Dissertation Title

Production of Ochratoxin A by Aspergillus Ochraceus Growing on Ceiling Tile and Carpet

Dissertation Abstract

Indoor air quality has become one of the nation's leading health issues. Numerous contaminants exist in indoor environments, posing a potential threat to the health and well-being of individuals exposed. Recent attention has focused on fungi, microorganisms present in virtually all indoor environments, and their contribution to indoor air quality problems.

Fungi are known to induce a variety of adverse health effects upon exposure, ranging from allergic reaction to toxicity. The toxic effects are commonly associated with exposure to mycotoxins, secondary metabolites produced by these organisms. Illness, disease, and mortality resulting from ingestion of mycotoxins contaminating agricultural food and feed products are well documented. Adverse health effects resulting from exposure to these toxins indoor are not well understood. Lack of sample collection and analysis methods hinder characterization of mycotoxins from these environments.

This study proposes a method for sample collection and analysis of airborne ochratoxin A, a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus ochraceus. Ochratoxin A is collected on Teflon filters and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorbance detection. The developed method is then utilized to evaluate mycotoxin production by Aspergillus ochraceus growing on common indoor environmental substrates, ceiling tile and carpet.

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