[Pharmwaste] FW: Response to: Plant take up drugs, antibacterials from biosolids used as fertilizer

[Tenace, Laurie]

Post from a nonmember



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From: Hannon, Pat [mailto:Patricia.Hannon at des.nh.gov]
Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 2:21 PM
To: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: Response to: Plant take up drugs, antibacterials from biosolids used as fertilizer

Biosolids<https://www.nscss.org/content/plants-take-drugs-antibacterials-biosolids-used-fertilizers#comment-780>
Submitted by Ned Beecher<http://www.nebiosolids.org> on Thu, 09/02/2010 - 12:01.

The cited research by Wu et al. has several potential flaws, some of which are noted at the end of the EHN article. Most notably, there is a history of research showing that when you spike contaminants into biosolids/soil mixes in the lab to assess their impacts in a biosolids land application scenario, plant uptake and other results (such as reductions in plant growth) are exaggerated (e.g O'Connor et al, 1990).

Other considerations regarding the Wu et al. study: the solids content - about 2% - was not typical of land-applied biosolids; the pH was low (5.1), which could have caused some Mn or Al toxicity; the biosolids application rate appears to have been higher than a typical application rate; and this was a pot study. All of these factors could confound the findings when compared to a field-scale study using unadulterated biosolids.

Also, the research and the EHN article do not put the concentrations taken up by the plants in any context. Triclosan, an antimicrobial that was part of the study, is found in Colgate Total Advance Toothpaste at 0.3% or 3 million parts per billion. That is going into people's mouths directly. The concentrations measured in plant tissue by Wu et al. reached a maximum of around 200 ppb. Further, this particular compound has been in use for decades - so it has been in biosolids for that long. This is nothing new. What is new, is that we are now able to measure minute concentrations in just about any medium.

Lastly: current biosolids research is focused on ever smaller risks. One hundred years ago, people in American cities died of cholera due to lack of sewage treatment. Forty years ago, there were some legitimate concerns about the high concentrations of heavy metals being applied to soils in biosolids; these concerns were addressed through research, risk assessment, regulations, and industrial pretreatment that have dramatically reduced heavy metal concentrations. Focus on industrial chemicals in biosolids has been ongoing, with similar increases in understanding and, where necessary (rarely), regulation. As of yet, hundreds of research studies on pharmaceuticals and personal care product chemicals in biosolids have indicated no clear public health risk, but more research is needed to assess potential small-scale ecological risks. But, unlike metals, the vast majority of trace organic chemicals are broken down in soils.

There is a newly-released literature review on the topic of trace constituents (microconstituents) in biosolids applied to soils: see http://www.weao.org/committees/biosolids/biosolids.html.

Biosolids application to soil is a common practice. It takes advantage of the nutrients and organic matter, which soils need. I use biosolids compost in my home garden, and I don't see this new study as a reason to stop doing so. Feel free to call or write if you would like to discuss further: ned.beecher at nebiosolids.org or 603-323-7654.
>
I have submitted this response on behalf of Ned Beecher, Director of Northeast Biosolids and Residuals Association (NEBRA)

Patricia A. Hannon, Supervisor
Residuals Management Section
NH Department of Environmental Services
29 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-2758 (p)
603-271-4128 (f)






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