[Pharmwaste] Earthworms Found To Contain Chemicals From Households And Animal Manure

[DeBiasi,Deborah]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080223112253.htm


Earthworms Found To Contain Chemicals From Households And Animal Manure

ScienceDaily (Feb. 27, 2008) - Earthworms studied in agricultural fields
have been found to contain organic chemicals from household products and
manure, indicating that such substances are entering the food chain.

Manure and biosolids, the solid byproduct of wastewater treatment, were
applied to the fields as fertilizer. Earthworms continuously ingest
soils for nourishment and can accumulate the chemicals present in the
soil.

The chemicals investigated are considered indicators of human and animal
waste sources and include a range of active ingredients in common
household products such as detergents, antibacterial soaps, fragrances,
and pharmaceuticals. Some of the detected chemicals are naturally
occurring such as plant and fecal sterols and fragrances. All of these
chemicals tend to be concentrated in the municipal waste distribution
and disposal process and are referred to as anthropogenic waste
indicators (AWI).

U.S. Geological Survey Scientists and their colleague from Colorado
State University at Pueblo published their new findings today in
Environmental Science and Technology. The results demonstrate that
organic chemicals introduced to the environment via land application of
biosolids and manure are transferred to earthworms and enter the food
chain.

Scientists found 28 AWIs in biosolids being applied at a soybean field
for the first time and 20 AWIs in earthworms from the same field.
Similar results were found for the field where swine manure was applied.
Several compounds were detected in earthworms collected both from the
biosolids- and manure-applied fields, including phenol (disinfectant),
tributylphosphate (antifoaming agent and flame retardant), benzophenone
(fixative), trimethoprim (antibiotic), and the synthetic fragrances
galaxolide, and tonalide. Detergent metabolites and the disinfectant
triclosan were found in earthworms from the biosolids-applied field, but
not the manure-applied field.

Biosolids are made from the sludge generated by the treatment of sewage
at wastewater treatment plants. Biosolids are used as fertilizer by
farmers, landscapers, and homeowners when it satisfies U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and local regulations for nutrient,
metal, and pathogen content. About half of the 8 million dry tons of
biosolids produced in the U. S. each year are applied to the land.
Biosolids have been found to be rich in AWIs compared to levels in
wastewater treatment plant effluent. In addition, the 1.3 million farms
raising livestock in the U. S. generate an estimated 500 million tons of
manure annually, much of which is also applied to fields as fertilizer
for crops.

This study is part of a long-term effort by the USGS Toxic Substances
Hydrology Program to determine the fate and effects of chemicals of
emerging environmental concern in aquatic and terrestrial environments,
and to provide water-resource managers with objective information that
assists in the development of effective water management practices. It
was funded in part by a Research Corporation Cottrell College Award and
a Faculty Research Grant from Eastern Washington University.

Adapted from materials provided by US Geological Survey.

Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!)
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028
FAX:      804-698-4032