Sludge Concerns in Pittsburgh
Concern growing over use of recycled sludge on land
By Judy Lin, Associated Press
Wednesday, July 03, 2002
PITTSBURGH - The dump trucks have begun rolling by Bob Grant's western Pennsylvania farm, carrying recycled sludge by the ton for fertilizing a neighbor's cattle-grazing land.
To Grant, the trucks don't just transport treated wastewater sludge. They carry viruses that can be spread by the wind, bacteria that can seep into the groundwater, and of course, the unbearable stench of ammonia.
"The anger will really kick in as the trucks roll by - knowing that there's nothing you can do about it," said the 64-year-old retired pilot from his home in Jackson Township, Mercer County, a rural community 60 miles north of Pittsburgh.
While the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection considers the sludge safe when used in accordance with federal guidelines, residents and researchers are beginning to question the wisdom of spreading sludge on land, saying the practice can unleash a number of potential health risks.
Following an investigation by the inspector general of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that cites gaps in the science used to approve sludge recycling, the National Research Council was expected to release a study this week on possible health concerns related to sludge recycling. The EPA is expected to review the findings and consider its recommendations, agency spokeswoman Robin Woods said.
More than 4 million tons of recycled wastewater sewage is spread on rural and suburban properties across America each year.
Roy Neer, who owns the 1,000-acre property next to Grant, said he investigated the benefits of recycled sludge before giving his OK. Besides a potential savings of $100,000 over five years, Neer said the sludge is safe. "If it weren't safe, I wouldn't be doing it," said Neer, 79, of Slippery Rock. "If it doesn't add value to the land, if it doesn't get some good results, I'm not going to fool with it."
Neer, who was a cattle rancher for 40 years before retiring and leasing the land, said the process of applying the sludge is filled with so much red tape that there's an unlikely chance for contaminating nearby groundwater. Shipped from the Pittsburgh area, the sludge is applied on 200 to 300 acres at a time. The treated land is then restricted to human access for 30 days to let the toxins naturally die off, neighbors are alerted in writing a month in advance, and testing is done throughout
the process, Neer said.
The practice raised concerns because, even though the recycled sludge is treated, it can contain reduced levels of bacteria, viruses, toxins, and parasites. Harmful substances in the sludge can include salmonella, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis, rotaviruses, cryptosporidium, and tapeworm.
"From what I've seen, I believe people are getting sick," said Ellen Z. Harrison, director of the Waste Management Institute at Cornell University.
Harrison and EPA microbiologist David Lewis said the agency lacks the staff and money to monitor how sludge is being applied on land. There's also no plan for monitoring infectious diseases nationwide, they say. The institute has tracked 257 cases of illness which are believed to be likely caused by sludge use.
Concern growing over use of recycled sludge on land
By Judy Lin, Associated Press
Wednesday, July 03, 2002
PITTSBURGH - The dump trucks have begun rolling by Bob Grant's western Pennsylvania farm, carrying recycled sludge by the ton for fertilizing a neighbor's cattle-grazing land.
To Grant, the trucks don't just transport treated wastewater sludge. They carry viruses that can be spread by the wind, bacteria that can seep into the groundwater, and of course, the unbearable stench of ammonia.
"The anger will really kick in as the trucks roll by - knowing that there's nothing you can do about it," said the 64-year-old retired pilot from his home in Jackson Township, Mercer County, a rural community 60 miles north of Pittsburgh.
While the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection considers the sludge safe when used in accordance with federal guidelines, residents and researchers are beginning to question the wisdom of spreading sludge on land, saying the practice can unleash a number of potential health risks.
Following an investigation by the inspector general of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that cites gaps in the science used to approve sludge recycling, the National Research Council was expected to release a study this week on possible health concerns related to sludge recycling. The EPA is expected to review the findings and consider its recommendations, agency spokeswoman Robin Woods said.
More than 4 million tons of recycled wastewater sewage is spread on rural and suburban properties across America each year.
Roy Neer, who owns the 1,000-acre property next to Grant, said he investigated the benefits of recycled sludge before giving his OK. Besides a potential savings of $100,000 over five years, Neer said the sludge is safe. "If it weren't safe, I wouldn't be doing it," said Neer, 79, of Slippery Rock. "If it doesn't add value to the land, if it doesn't get some good results, I'm not going to fool with it."
Neer, who was a cattle rancher for 40 years before retiring and leasing the land, said the process of applying the sludge is filled with so much red tape that there's an unlikely chance for contaminating nearby groundwater. Shipped from the Pittsburgh area, the sludge is applied on 200 to 300 acres at a time. The treated land is then restricted to human access for 30 days to let the toxins naturally die off, neighbors are alerted in writing a month in advance, and testing is done throughout
the process, Neer said.
The practice raised concerns because, even though the recycled sludge is treated, it can contain reduced levels of bacteria, viruses, toxins, and parasites. Harmful substances in the sludge can include salmonella, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis, rotaviruses, cryptosporidium, and tapeworm.
"From what I've seen, I believe people are getting sick," said Ellen Z. Harrison, director of the Waste Management Institute at Cornell University.
Harrison and EPA microbiologist David Lewis said the agency lacks the staff and money to monitor how sludge is being applied on land. There's also no plan for monitoring infectious diseases nationwide, they say. The institute has tracked 257 cases of illness which are believed to be likely caused by sludge use.
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