Black & Veatch Corporation Hires Environmental Toxicology Expert

Erin Snyder joins company’s global team of treatment technology specialists

Las Vegas, Nev. (Oct. 11, 2004) – Black & Veatch Corporation announced today that Erin M. Snyder, Ph.D., an environmental toxicology, ecotoxicology and aquatic toxicology specialist, has been hired as a project scientist. Currently, Dr. Snyder is assisting the Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Technology Alliance, a team of 13 companies including Black & Veatch that serves as a partner in the National Technology Alliance (a U.S. Government program), in conducting a technology assessment of existing and near-term water monitoring capabilities and identifying critical shortfalls. As part of this effort, she is researching levels of concern for specific biological and chemical warfare agents and other toxic chemicals that might be intentionally introduced into drinking water in an act of terrorism.

“Toxicologists can help the water industry determine what concentrations of unregulated trace contaminants are safe during both acute and chronic exposures,” said Black & Veatch Director of Water Treatment Technology Bob Hulsey. “Dr. Snyder brings to Black & Veatch clients a wealth of specialized technical knowledge on toxicity and other issues.”

Dr. Snyder is an expert on the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which interfere with the normal functioning of hormones in the bodies of humans and animals. These include impacts of estrogenic chemicals and other hormonally active agents present in municipal wastewater effluent on reproductive and thyroid physiology and endocrinology of fish. She currently is collaborating with other researchers to write a book on the ecotoxicology of perchlorate. Dr. Snyder also has expertise in the area of pharmaceutically active compounds, or PhACs, in potable water and wastewater. She is familiar with water quality requirements for aquatic biota and has designed and implemented small-scale water treatment systems and water quality monitoring plans for aquatic toxicology facilities. She holds doctorate degrees in both environmental toxicology and zoology.

Through her experience and continuing appointment as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Forest Resources and in the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology at the Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Snyder has honed teaching and presentation skills useful for interpreting and communicating complex toxicology and risk assessment information to the public. Prior to joining Black & Veatch, Dr. Snyder most recently served as assistant unit leader/research fisheries biologist and adjunct assistant professor for the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (U.S. Geological Survey-Biological Resources Division) at Penn State.

“At Black & Veatch, our professionals are our greatest assets,” said Black & Veatch Water Americas Division President Dan McCarthy. “The addition of Dr. Snyder to our global team of water and wastewater process and technology specialists is evidence of our commitment to hire and retain the best talent in the water industry.”

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch Corporation is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in the fields of energy, water and information. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch serves its clients with conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, information technology, environmental, security design and consulting, and management consulting services.

The Water Sector provides innovative, technology-based solutions to utilities, governments and industries worldwide. Local project managers work with a global team of water and wastewater treatment process experts to address site-specific challenges through a broad range of consulting, study, planning, design, design-build and construction management services.

The employee-owned company has more than 90 offices worldwide. Black & Veatch is ranked on the Forbes “500 Largest Private Companies in the United States” listing for 2003. The company’s Web site address is www.bv.com.

For more information, please contact:
Linda Heil
Communications Specialist
(913) 458-4629
Heilla@bv.com