The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a report warning that “forever chemicals” are present in sewage sludge used as fertilizer and can pose human health risks.
There is substantial scientific evidence indicating that land spreading of biosolids poses a risk to public health and the environment.
Sludge can be contaminated with synthetic chemicals known as polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
In addition to PFAS, numerous other substances can be found in sludge:
Most of these chemicals do not break down in the environment and can contaminate the soil, groundwater, crops, and livestock.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that sewage sludge that has been converted to fertilizer can pose a potential health risk from E. coli, salmonella, hepatitis B, and other bacteria and viruses. The harmful substances can include salmonella, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis, rotaviruses, cryptosporidium, and tapeworms.
The lead levels allowed in sludge can have an adverse effect on the intelligence and neurobehavioral development of children exposed to land contaminated with sludge lead residues. The future uses of the land, groundwater quality, and air quality are compromised. Once lead is introduced into the environment, it persists and will eventually spread and cause human health problems. Once sludge is applied, the lead can never be recovered. It is extremely unlikely that any feasible monitoring and enforcement program can adequately ensure sludge application regulations are met.
ManaSota-88 has recently reviewed the Manatee County Land Spreading Code and finds the code to be inadequate to protect the health and safety of the people of Manatee County.
Tough regulatory efforts are needed to reduce the risks of sewage sludge to the public’s health and the environment due to its potential long-term impact.
Anyone applying to rezone or subdivide property or for a special exception should be required to disclose whether the property has been used as a sludge storage site or has had sludge applied to it. Land being used for agriculture will likely be developed in the future.
It is important that interested buyers are forewarned. Deeds should be flagged for the properties where sludge has been applied. If owners of these properties believe sludge is safe, then they should have no objection to having it noted on their deeds that sludge was used.
Additional policy is needed to regulate vehicles used for biosolid transportation. Such vehicles should meet all applicable Florida codes and regulations for commercial vehicles and clearly legibly identify the transporter.
Rather than continuing to permit additional contamination of the soil and water from applications of sludge, Manatee County should take the lead in adopting safe sludge disposal alternatives. Until then, the Manatee Board of County Commission should enact a temporary moratorium on all new sludge application permits until the comprehensive plan and the zoning code have been updated.
Protecting the county’s public health and environment from the adverse impacts of land-spreading sludge applications is certainly a legitimate interest or concern.
The only successful way to ensure the safety of sludge is to prohibit its use in the county. Anything less will create problems for county residents and others.
There is essentially no Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) oversight of sludge applications or assurances that the sludge meets even the very weak Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.
Until adequate EPA, local, and state standards are in place, permitting sludge use is irresponsible and will be extremely expensive over the long term.
Glenn Compton is the Chairman of ManaSota 88, a non-profit organization that has spent over 30 years fighting to protect the environment of Manatee and Sarasota counties.
1 comment on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.
Cat L
Every time I see reports showing decline in birthrates, I think about things like this. Chemicals that disrupt the human body are being used indiscriminately in America. Foolish.
Monday, January 27 Report this