Sludge Watch ==> sludge is a proven health hazard

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

Virginia - Daily Press

http://www.dailypress.com/news/opinion/dp-20932sy0may13,0,5020888.story?coll=dp-opinion-editorials

Letters to the editor: Sludge is a proven health hazard
May 13, 2006

As a sludge researcher for the past decade, this is to congratulate Sabine 
Hirschauer on her well-researched article "Sludge," April 23, about land 
application of sewage sludge, or "biosolids." If the following quote from 
the Virginia Health Commissioner, Robert Stroube, is accurate, then he is 
woefully ignorant of current science: "You may experience some odor from the 
site, but odor alone, while offensive to sensitive individuals, will not 
directly affect your health."

In fact, a report by Susan Schiffman, Duke University Medical School, and 
John Walker, Environmental Protection Agency, lead authors, in the November 
2000 Journal of Agromedicine details the harm to human health from sludge 
odors, odorants, bio-aerosols and airborne particulates. They include eye, 
nose and throat irritation, headache, nausea, diarrhea, sore throat, cough, 
chest tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath, stress, drowsiness and 
alterations in mood. They also report that exposure to increased levels of 
particulates is associated with increased mortality risk, especially among 
the elderly and individuals with pre-existing cardiopulmonary diseases, such 
as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and chronic heart 
disease.

The EPA, in its Guide to Field Storage of Sludge/Biosolids, acknowledges 
land-applied sewage sludge emits odorous toxic and irritant gases including 
dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, methyl mercaptan, trimethylamine and 
ammonia, which the Centers for Disease Control and other government agencies 
warn can cause great harm to human health if inhaled or ingested.

No wonder neighbors of sludge sites in Virginia are getting sick.

Helane Shields
Alton, N.H.