Cleaning Up Soil Contaminated with Pathogens

About the Webinar

Originally presented on February 12, 2025 

Watch the webinar.

Soil may become contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores, the bacterium causing anthrax disease, after their intentional release into the outdoor environment. Soil may also become contaminated with B. anthracis spores from animal carcasses that have died from the disease. Other pathogens may contaminate soil as well. Decontaminating the soil on-site would help minimize spread of the bio-contaminant. Emergency responders may face challenges in cleaning up soil as decontaminants prove less effective with depth and the more organic material (from decaying plants or other biomass) present in the soil.

This presentation will provide an overview of current research findings and technology available for sterilizing soil on-site. Information on soil treatment options that have been evaluated in the lab or in the field will be discussed, in terms of how well they work and how the decontaminant may be applied to the soil. Some background material on related issues, such as how far pathogens may disperse in the soil or how long they may survive in soil will also be presented.

About the Presenters

Joseph Wood is a Senior Research Engineer with EPA's Office of Research and Development, in the Homeland Security and Materials Management Division. He has been with the EPA since 1991 and has been conducting decontamination and waste treatment and disposal related research since 2004. His research primarily involves the testing, evaluation, and development of technologies that can be used to decontaminate materials and environmental matrices contaminated with biological agents. He is the primary author or co-author for 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 90 EPA published reports. He holds a master's degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) and is a licensed professional engineer.