Toxic Aromatherapy: A Melioidosis Mystery
About the Webinar
Originally presented August 9, 2023
Melioidosis is a disease that is considered rare in the United States, typically associated with travel where the bacterium occurs naturally. In October 2021, several cases of melioidosis appeared in the United States that were later linked by CDC to an aromatherapy spray sold in retail stores. EPA assisted CDC in developing guidance on cleaning and disinfection of household surfaces and items for those that purchased and used the contaminated spray. It was discovered that one family who purchased and used the product had a pet exposed to the contaminated spray after breaking the bottle. The pet later died and was buried in the yard of the family home. EPA provided support to the CDC and the state of Texas to mitigate any residual risk from contaminated soil and the property that may have been caused by burying the pet.
This webinar will present research developed by EPA on decontaminating B. pseudomallei, the bacterium causing melioidosis. It will discuss how the research was used to develop sampling and remediation plans for the property and what the implementation of those plans looked like.
About the Presenters
Worth Calfee is a research microbiologist with over 25 years of microbiological research experience, including 14 years at the U.S. EPA in decontamination and consequence management of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) agents. His research foci include sampling, decontamination, and management of wastes from CBRN contamination incidents. Dr. Calfee received his Ph.D. in 2007 from East Carolina University, where he studied coastal and estuarine microbial communities. He also earned a B.S. in molecular biology from East Carolina University in 1999.
Pratistha Adams is a Federal On-Scene Coordinator with EPA's Region 6 (serving Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 66 Tribal Nations) since 2015. She also works as an Environmental Scientist for the U.S. Army since 2008, holding the rank of MAJ. Adams received her Master's in Environmental Science from The City University of New York - College of Staten Island and a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and Environmental Science from Kathmandu University in Nepal. She currently lives in Dallas, Texas where she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family. When not busy with work, Adams likes to indulge in murder mysteries, 90 Day Fiancé, and watching New York Giants games with her husband.