Sludge Watch ==> Alabama - Limestone wants injunction to stop Synagro sludge

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

If this sludge they are spreading is 'treated, tested, safe to use' then why 
isn't that data available at the EPA office to address complaints?

Lets see less PR and some real compliance data.  More and more complaints 
have come in to Sludge Watch about EPA Regional Compliance Officer Mike Hamm 
failing to investigate complaints.

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



Limestone wants to stop use of human-waste fertilizer


By Bayne Hughes
hughes at decaturdaily.com
340-2432

ATHENS — The Limestone County Commission wants to stop the use of fertilizer 
made of human waste on county farms.

The commission voted Wednesday to seek an injunction, pending the county 
attorney's approval, to stop the use of biosolids.

Chairman David Seibert said going through the courts is the commission's 
only option because it lacks home rule. He wants to stop the use of 
biosolids until the health risks can be determined.

Houston-based Synagro Technologies Inc. has been supplying area farmers with 
biosolids through its Leighton plant. Synagro spokeswoman Lorri Loder said 
her company uses treated biosolids produced at municipal wastewater plants. 
She estimates that 60 percent of biosolids are used on farmland as 
fertilizer.

"This is tested, treated, and it's safe to use," Loder said. "I don't 
believe they should have any concerns."

Biosolids

Loder said biosolids contain nutrients similar to other, more familiar 
fertilizers.

But common concerns with using human fecal waste as fertilizer include the 
possible presence of prescription drug residue and more than 60,000 toxic 
substances.

Also, CNN.com reported that biosolids pose a risk of infecting humans with 
ascariasis, a type of roundworm.

The Environmental Protection Agency approved the use of biosolids in 2004, 
proposing to change what was then called "sewage sludge" into "compost."

"Biosolids are regulated by the EPA," Loder said from her Arizona office. 
"Municipal plant workers work with (them) every day and, as far as I know, 
there haven't been any health problems. Our company isn't going to produce 
something that would affect people's health adversely."

Limestone wants to stop use of human-waste fertilizer

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/071011/stop.shtml