Sludge Watch ==> Tampa Sludge 'Fertilizer' Plant Explosion - Two Workers Burned

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Sewage sludge dryers tend toward dust explosion and the dried sludge itself 
tends to go into spontaneous heating and combustion.

Why are we spending public funds to build and rebuild these hazardous 
facilities that only make a nasty material more dangerous?

How many more workers need to be injured before we stop this?

Toronto, Windsor, Bronx NY, 3 in Quebec, Milwaulkee- several, Tampa, 
Hagersville, Amherst..to name a few

Under the story you will find the 'Milorganite' Material Safety Data Sheet 
(MSDS) that mentions fire and explosion risk.

.................................


May 26, 2007

Explosion Burns Two In Tampa Sewer Plant

(CBS) tampa An explosion at the Port of Tampa’s sewage treatment plant 
Saturday morning left two workers burned on their faces, necks, and arms. 
Investigators say dust may be to blame.

The men had been working inside a building where sludge is dried and mixed 
with fertilizer. Tampa Fire Rescue officials said the process created a fine 
dust inside the building, which may have ignited and caused a flash-fire.

The men, whose names were not released, were transported to Tampa General 
Hospital where their injuries are described as serious but not 
life-threatening. They had burns on their faces, arms and necks.

The building was not damaged.

A telephone message could not be left at the Tampa Fire Rescue Office on 
Saturday afternoon.

..........................................

Material Safety Data Sheet Milorganite®GardenCare 6-2-0 Fertilizer Page 2 of 
4 Section 5:FIRE


FIGHTING MEASURESFlash Point (Method):NA LEL: ND UEL: ND NFPA/HIMS Rating: 
Health: 1
Fire: 1Reactivity: 0 Extinguishing Media: Foam, Water Spray, CO2

Special Fire fighting Procedures: Do not breathe fumes. Firefighters should 
wear normal fire protection gear. Prevent runoff from entering drains, 
sewers or any body of water. Becomes slippery when wet, guard against falls.

Unusual Fire & Explosion Hazards: Do not breathe fumes. At high 
temperatures, this type of fertilizer can give offundefined fumes. Fine dust 
dispersion in air may form an explosive mixture. Bulk wetted material may 
generate heat upon storage.

Section 6:ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURESIf Material is Spilled: Sweep, vacuum 
or shovel material into labeled container. If at all possible, reuse 
product. Ensure that disposal is in compliance with local, state or federal 
regulations.

Section 7: HANDLING & STORAGEHandling handle as any fertilizer. Avoid 
breathing dust. Wash after handling. Do not contaminate water by disposal of 
equipment washwaters. Do not allow to become wet during storage. Storage: 
Store in a cool, dry area out of reach of children and animals. Keep dry. 
Bulk wetted material may generateheat upon storage. Note: Some coprophagic 
canines (fecal eating dogs) may be attracted by the odor of biosolids, 
transfer their fecal attraction to Milorganite® 6-2-0 fertilizer, rip open 
bags in storage and over eat. A dog may be sick for 24 to 48 hours, 
beginning with vomiting that can lead to dehydration, incontinence 
(stiffness in the hind legs), atrophy, depression, and black stools due to 
the high carbon content of Milorganite® 6-2-0. In most cases, symptomatic 
care prescribed by aveterinarian will relieve these symptoms. Section 8: 
EXPOSURE CONTROL/PERSONAL PROTECTIONProtective equipment suggested for 
outdoor applications: Wear eye goggles/safety glasses if product may be 
expected to come in contact with eyes. Protective equipment suggested for 
confined areas: Provide sufficient ventilation. Wear appropriate safety 
equipment for any hazards encountered. Product by itselfpresents no specific 
hazards. Section 9: PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL PROPERTIESSolubility in water: 
slight pH: slightly acidic (9 parts water to 1 part Garden Care) Appearance: 
Dark free flowing granules. Product US Screen size -8 +48 with less than 
0.1% -48.Odor: Earthy scent. Bulk Density: 50-52 lbs. per cubic footSection 
10: STABILITY & REACTIVITYStability: Stable. Conditions to Avoid: Excessive 
heat; absorbs moisture in highly humid areas. Incompatibility: Strong acids, 
alkalis and oxidizing agents. Hazardous Decomposition Products: Expected to 
emit the same types of toxic smoke as would be released during combustion of 
other organic materials. Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
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Material Safety Data Sheet Milorganite®GardenCare 6-2-0 Fertilizer Page 3 of 
4

Section 11: TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATIONToxicity Data: Oral (acute): NDDermal 
(acute): ND Inhalation (acute): NDTeratogen/Mutagen/ Carcinogen (NTP): Not 
listed.Potential Carcinogen OHSA/IARC: Not listed.US EPA 40 CFR Part 503 
(Biosolids Rule)Under the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has conducted extensive screening to determine likely 
pollutants in sewage sludge, a/k/a biosolids. EPA’s National Survey of 
Biosolids analyzed for a total of 412 pollutants, including every organic, 
pesticide, dibensofuran, dioxin and PCB analyte for which EPA had gas 
chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) standards. 64 Fed. Reg. at 
72047-48 (discusses the history of Part 503 information gathering on the 
fate and concentrations of pollutants in biosolids).

See, www.epa.gov/fedrgstr.Where the available scientific information 
indicated there was no risk of harm even at the highest 
pollutantconcentration level found in the Biosolids Survey, the pollutants 
were dropped from further risk assessment. Most of the 412 pollutants are 
simply not present in biosolids at levels of concern. The National Standards 
for Bisolids Use, 40 CFR Part 503, establish limits for nine common metals 
and pathogenic organisms (which heat drying kills) at the noobservable 
adverse effect level and a level of protection of 1 case in 10,000 for 
cancer risk. The 1993 technical support documents on biosolids risk 
assessment are available at EPA’s website: 
www.epa/gov/OST/pc/municipal.html, and theNational Biosolids Partnership 
also links the scientific risk assessments, www.biosolids.policy.net.Garden 
Care® is well below the Part 503 national standards. Where EPA lacked 
sufficient available scientific data toestablish a standard, the pollutants, 
totally 31, were subjected to a Comprehensive Hazard Identification Study. 
This screening analysis included dose-response evaluation, exposure 
assessment and risk characterization. The US EPA concluded, in a December 
23, 1999, notice published at 64 Federal Register 72048, that only 3 
pollutant compounds left on its list, analytically measured as 29 
dioxin-like congeners, might pose an increase risk for a hypothetical highly 
exposed (through the food chain, primarily daily fats, meat fats and fish 
that have bioaccumulated the congeners) rural breast feeding mother and 
child. EPA has proposed a national standard and a final standard is expected 
after EPA completes its comprehensive Dioxin Reassessment, see, 
www.epa.gov/ncea/pdfs/dioxin.htm.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s 
diseaseEpidemiologists have studied ALS mortality among Wisconsin residents, 
employees who make Garden Care® and workers at sewage treatment plants in 
Chicago and found the ALS morality rate to be normal or slightly below that 
of general population. ALS research has abandoned theories of linkage to 
metals in diet and has focused on genetic predisposition toward ALS and 
neurotoxins in particular foods. The complete history of this investigation 
is available at the National Biosolids Partnership website 
www.biosolids.policy.net.

Section 12:ECOLOGICAL INFORMATIONKeep out of any body of water. Section 13: 
DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONSWaste Disposal Method(s): Sweep, vacuum or shovel 
material into labeled container. If at all possible, reuse product. Material 
is a fertilizer and should be used as such. Keep out of any body of water. 
Ensure that disposal is in compliance with local, state or federal 
regulations. Bulk wetted material may generate heat upon storage. Section 
14: TRANSPORTATION INFORMATIONDOT shipping information: Proper shipping 
name: Class 50 (fertilizer material) ID No.: NA Hazard Class: NAHazmat No.: 
NA SEC 302: Not listed.
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Material Safety Data Sheet Milorganite®GardenCare 6-2-0 Fertilizer Page 4 of 
4 SEC 304: Not listed. Sec 313: Not listed CERCLA: Not listed. CAA: Not 
listed. TSCA: Not listed. Section 15: REGULATORY INFORMATIONSARA 
Information: _No_ Immediate (Acute) Health_No_ Sudden Release of Pressure 
_No_ Delayed (Chronic) Health_No_ Reactivity _Yes_ Fire

Section 16:OTHER INFORMATIONFormat complies with ANSI Z400.1 requirements. 
Revisions as noted (first issue 01/02/93) DISCLAIMER: This information 
related to the specific material designated and may not be valid for such 
materialused in combination with any other materials or in an process. Such 
information is the best of our knowledge and belief, accurate and reliable 
as of the date compiled. However, no representation, warranty or guarantee 
is made as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness. NO WARRANTY OF 
METCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, 
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE AS CONCERNS THE INFORMATION HEREIN PROVIDED. It 
is the user’s responsibility to satisfy himself as to the suitability and 
completeness of such information for his own particular use. We do not 
accept liability for any loss or damage thatmay occur from the use of this 
information. NA = Not Applicable ND = Not Determined Version changeUpdate 
Section 7


www.milorganite.com/docs/about/gardencare_6-2-0_msds.pdf