Fertilizers manufactured from the sludgy leftovers of wastewater treatment processes can contain traces of potentially hazardous organic chemicals, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers.
Fertilizers manufactured from the sludgy leftovers of wastewater treatment processes can contain traces of potentially hazardous organic chemicals, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers.
The research, published today in journal Environmental Science & Technology, provides one of the most comprehensive looks at the chemical composition of so-called biosolids across the country and is the first step toward identifying common chemical contaminants that may need government regulation. The findings could help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prioritize which organic compounds to investigate further, the researchers said.
"We've been relatively in the dark when it comes to possible organic hazards in biosolids, and we need to know if there are any smoking guns that we're unaware of," said Carsten Prasse, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering who studies environmental contaminants. "Regulators need to know what these types of fertilizers are made of to determine how they can be responsibly used."
Read more at Johns Hopkins University
Photo Credit: jarmoluk via Pixabay
