Not all pathogens in biosolids are killed

 

March 12, 2015



To The Eagle:

Greenwood residents are fully justified to be concerned about the odor being emitted from so-called Class A biosolids. Odor means that the material has destabilized and is still putrefying, emitting endotoxins and other harmful bioaerosols.

It is incorrect to claim that all the pathogens in Class A biosolids have been killed. Many survive or are re activated when this material is stored. In fact, Class A often morphs back into Class B. In addition to pathogens, Class A contains the vast array of toxic and persistent chemicals, contained in Class B, most of which are neither monitored or regulated. Sludge odor is more than a nuisance problem, and, as residents stated, very different from standard farm odors.

Hundreds of sludge-exposed rural residents in 38 states have experienced serious, some life-threatening respiratory symptoms, asthma attacks, and rare forms of pneumonia. At least two deaths have been linked to this unsafe practice.

Removing the stockpile may temporarily solve the problem for Greenwood residents. But storing and placing it on land somewhere else will just move the risks from one area to another. To learn more visit http://www.sludgefacts.org.

Caroline Snyder

North Sandwich, NH

 

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