[Pharmwaste] Plants take up drugs, antibacterials from biosolids used as fertilizers

[Tenace, Laurie]

New research shows that the drugs and contaminants that often contaminant sewage sludge that is used as fertilizer can be taken up by the plants grown in fertilized fields and gardens. Also called 'biosolids' these fertilizers are regularly applied to agricultural fields and are sometimes packaged as organic soil fertilizers sold in home improvement stores. The results raise significant public health concerns about use of biosolids on croplands and in gardens used to grow produce for consumption.

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/soy-plants-accumulate-drugs-antibacterials-from-biosolids/
Please go to the web site to read more of this report.
Laurie

Laurie Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Waste Reduction Section
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Rd., MS 4555
Tallahassee FL 32399-2400
P: 850.245.8759
F: 850.245.8811
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us

Mercury: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm

Batteries: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/batteries/default.htm

Pharmaceuticals:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm
To join the Pharmwaste listserve: http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pharmwaste

Household Hazardous Waste:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/hazardous/pages/household.htm




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