Sludge Watch ==> Child has sludge worries - Pennsylvania

[Maureen Reilly]

Biosolids worry child
03/28/2007



I am in the fifth grade. In my neighborhood, the adults have been very 
concerned about the dumping of biosolids, which is also called sewage 
sludge. I am only 10, but I, too, am concerned about sewage sludge.

>From what I’ve heard, sewage sludge is dangerous. Two boys died after 
someone dumped biosolids by their houses. Nobody in my neighborhood wants 
sewage sludge here. We even have signs in our yards that say “No Sewage 
Sludge.’’

My mother and our neighbors spend a lot of time trying to stop sewage 
sludge. My mom is fighting sludge for the safety of our family.

Sewage sludge has not just been disturbing my mom’s life, but mine, too. 
Before we were worried about biosolids, my mom, my sister and I would walk 
our dogs back to the river. Now that a landowner has been spreading stuff in 
the fields, the smell is horrendous. I don’t want my dogs to get sick. They 
are my best friends.

My sister and I were taking horseback riding lessons over the summers. Now 
my parents don’t want us to take lessons there because of the sewage sludge. 
They are worried about our safety. We didn’t mind the horse manure, but the 
sewage stuff we do mind. I feel bad for the horses, dogs, kittens and ducks. 
I hope they stay safe and healthy.

I don’t even want to go outside anymore. If they keep spreading sludge, I 
will probably spend my summer indoors.

My mother’s uncle has had a tree farm for as long as I can remember. We went 
on tractor rides and walks every year to pick our Christmas tree. I do not 
recall him ever using sewage sludge. He has had beautiful trees without 
using it.

Biosolids don’t just disturb the adults’ lives, but the kids’ lives, too. We 
have a lot of kids in our neighborhood. I believe we should just be able to 
go outside and not worry about our safety.

Danielle Etchberger

New Ringgold
http://www.republicanherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18136042&BRD=2626&PAG=461&dept_id=530483&rfi=6