The Nature and Extent of Environmental and Health Concerns - Essay Example

The Nature and Extent of Environmental and Health Concerns Surrounding the Use of Sewage Biosolids from Wastewater Treatment in Agriculture Name Instructor’s Name Subject / Course Date Total Number of Words: 3,308 Table of Contents I. Introduction ………………………………………… 3 a. Purpose of the Research Study ………… 4 b. Problem Statement ………………………. 4 c. Significance of the Problem …………….. 4 d. Terms to be Defined ……………………… 5 e. Research Question(s) …………………….. 6 II. Literature Review ………………………………….. 7 a. Conventional Wastewater Treatment Processes…………………………………… 7 b. Environmental Concerns of Using Sludge or Sewage Biosolids in Food Agricultural Activities ………………………. 9 c. Health Concerns of Using Sludge or Sewage Biosolids in Food Agricultural Activities ……………………………………. 11 III. Discussion ………………………………………….. 13 IV. Recommendations ………………………………… 15 V. Conclusion …………………………………………. 16 Appendix I – Wastewater Treatment Process Flow …… 18 References ……………………………………………… 19 - 22 Introduction The water that comes from reservoirs, wells, streams, and rivers are highly polluted due to active industrialization, agriculture, household, and other human activities. Aside from oil tankers that sinks in the sea waters, the rain water that flows back to the river picks up soil particles, heavy metals, animal and human waste, toxic chemicals like chlorine, phosphorus, iron coming from chemical manufacturers, gasoline, oil and grease which could cause detriment to the health of the human beings (Perlman 2009). The goal of wastewater treatment operators is to protect the health of the people by making the waste water safe for human consumption. (Perlman 2009; U.S. Department of Labour 2007; Willis 2001) This can be done by purifying the wastewater in order to remove and destroy harmful materials such as chemical compounds, microorganisms, debris, and other solid materials. (U.S. Department of Labour 2007) To provide the readers with a better understanding concerning the research topic, the process of conventional wastewater treatment will first be tackled in details. Upon discussing the importance of primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment process in purifying the wastewater, the researcher will discuss the environmental and health concerns of using sludge or sewage biosolids that comes from the wastewater treatment plant for food agricultural activities. To avoid the increase of developing life threatening diseases such as cholera and cancer among others, the researcher will thoroughly discuss the importance of making the use of sludge and biosolids found wastewater illegal for agricultural purposes. Purpose of the Research Study Upon weighing the advantages and disadvantages of using biosolids as fertilizer in agricultural activities, the research findings of Goodman and Goodman (2006) revealed that the negative impact of using biosolids as fertilizer is approximately three times more than the positive impact of recycling biosolids. Despite the environmental and health threats of using sewage products, a lot companies that manufacture fertilizers are using sludge or sewage biosolids as one of the major components of fertilizers used in food agriculture. (Lewis, Booth and Hill 2004; Richards, et al. 2004) Concerning the harmful health effects of using biosolids as fertilizer in agriculture, the purpose of this research study is to educate the people around the world and to persuade the farmers to avoid using fertilizers that uses sludge or biosolids coming from the wastewater treatment for agricultural purposes. Problem Statement Concerning the use of sludge and biosolids from wastewater treatment in agriculture, this study will evaluate the nature and extent of environmental and health concerns surrounding the use of sludge or biosolids as fertilizer in food agricultural activities. Significance of the Problem As reported by the World Health Organization (2009), cancer is the leading cause of death around the world. In the absence of health care intervention, WHO projects the possibility that 84 Millions around the world would die of cancer between the years 2005 to 2015 (World Health Organization 2009). It is not clear as to whether or not there is an available treatment process can remove the cancer causing agents in biosolids. For this reason, there is a strong need to warn the people concerning the harmful health effects of using biosolids as fertilizer in food agriculture. Terms of be Defined Sludge is referring to “solid, semi-solid or liquid waste generated from a municipal, commercial, or industrial wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility or any other such waste having similar characteristics and effects” (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 2009). Although sludge and biosolids are commonly used interchangeably, the difference between sludge and biosolids is that ‘sludge’ is the term used before wastewater passes through the process of recycling or water treatment whereas ‘biosolids’ is the term used when the solid wastes in wastewater has gone through the process of water treatment (North East Biosolids & Residuals Association 2008). The word ‘eutrophication’ is referring to the process of increasing the concentration of chemical nutrients like nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) within the ecosystem more than the normal level that can be tolerated by the terrestrial ecosystem. (Air Pollution Information System 2009) The problem with eutrophication is the fact that this could lead to significant decrease in the quality of water causing serious health related problems and toxicity leading to the distinction in the number of water animal species. Research Question(s) As part of going through the research study, the following questions will be used as a guide in satisfying the aims and objectives of research study: 1. Are there studies that can prove the harmful environmental effects of using sludge or biosolids as fertilizer in food agriculture? 2. Are there studies that can prove the harmful health effects of using sludge or biosolids as fertilizer in food agriculture? 3. Is there any form of fertilizer that is safe to be used in food agriculture other than the use of sludge or biosolids? 4. Other than cancer, is there any other form of diseases that can develop out of using sludge or biosolids as fertilizer in food agriculture? Literature Review Conventional Wastewater Treatment Processes Wastewater that goes into a water treatment plant normally comes from the lakes, rivers, and streams. (U.S. EPA 2008) A conventional wastewater treatment process is located on a low level ground to avoid gravitational problems or the need to invest on additional cost for pumping the water from these sources to the wastewater treatment plant. (Perlman 2009) Wastewater treatment plant is composed of three major stages known as the primary, secondary, tertiary or the advanced stage. (Perlman 2009; Streicher 1999; Mancl n.d.) However, some water treatment plants conduct a preliminary treatment to ensure that the wastewater that will pass through the primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment process is free from solid and hard particles that could cause clogging and damage of the equipments. The preliminary treatment stage in wastewater treatment is the initial screen out, grind up and separation of debris like plastic, rags and empty cans from the wastewater to protect the wastewater treatment equipments in the primary, secondary, and tertiary stages. (Perlman 2009; Streicher 1999; Mancl n.d.) Eventually, the wastewater subject for water treatment will pass through the primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment process. The primary stage will remove the remaining solid wastes like sand, grit and rocks, human wastes, fats, oil, and grease. As reported by USGS, almost 60% of the solid materials present in the wastewater are removed after the primary treatment (Perlman 2009). In line with this, the study of Streicher (1999) confirmed that almost 50 – 60% of the floating substances found in the bodies of wastewater is removed by the clarifiers and that between 25 – 40% of the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) are taken away from the wastewater. The secondary wastewater treatment removes approximately 90% of the solid waste materials. (Perlman 2009) With the use of aerobic biological process, the secondary treatment dissolves the biological content that are commonly derived from the food waste, soaps and other liquid detergents, or from the human and animal waste (Lenntech Sludge Sorts 2009; Apedaile 2005). It is inside the aeration tanks where the biological treatment of wastewater occurs. Inside these tanks, the microorganisms and bacteria are mixed with the wastewater. Then, the sewage will be exposed to the air to enable some of the dissolved gases like hydrogen sulfide to evaporate from the water (Perlman 2009). As explained by Streicher (1999), this process will allow the air containing oxygen to react with the organic waste materials. It is the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) or the activated sludge that converts the organic substances into oxidized products like carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). (See Chemical Equation of Carbon Cycle-Combustion below) The activated sludge and water that comes from the aeration tanks is separated at the final clarifier or settling tanks. The sludge at this stage is treated by adding ‘flocculation agent.’ (Lenntech Sludge Sorts 2009) After the water passes through the final clarifier or settling tanks; the water will flow into the chlorine tanks for proper disinfection and the final stage removing solid particles present in the water. The proper chlorination of treated water is necessary to minimize the amount of harmful disease causing pathogens and other microorganisms that are present in the wastewater. (Perlman 2009; U.S. EPA 2008; Streicher 1999) As soon as the water is ready for public use or return to the rivers, lakes, and streams, it is essential to apply some sulphur dioxide (SO2) in chlorinated water to neutralize the toxic effect of chlorine in the water (USGS 2006; Streicher 1999). Based on the report of Streicher (1999), the water that comes out of the tertiary treatment process is approximately 97% free from solid waste particles and 99.99% free from bacteria after chlorination treatment. (See Appendix I – Wastewater Treatment Process Flow on page 18) Environmental Concerns of Using Sludge or Sewage Biosolids in Food Agricultural Activities Despite the fact that several studies revealed that the use of sewage biosolids could lead to serious environmental damages to air and water when used as fertilizer for food and non-food agricultural activities (Richards, et al. 2004; Tabachow, Peirce and Jousset 2001), there are some people claiming that the use of biosolids as fertlizer could result to economic advantages specifically when used as plant fertilizer (Mitchell, Costanzo and Foster 2006; Yamur, Kaydan and Arvas 2005; Lewis, Booth and Hill 2004). Based on the research study of Jarausch-Wehrheim, Mocquot and Mench (1999), the use of biosolids as fertilizer does not cause heavy metal toxicity on plants except for the fact that the levels of Zinc (Zn) in soil. Upon evaluating the long-term impact of biosolids in the quality of water, Tian et al. (2006) found out that the concentration of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in surfact water remains the same except for copper (Cu) which occurred when biosolids with high concentration of Cu was applied on land, and other compounds like nitrate (NO3) which is high during spring and ammonium, phosphorus, and mercury which is high during fall and summer. Aside from increasing the levels of Zn in the groundwater (Jarausch-Wehrheim, Mocquot and Mench 1999), several studies also revealed that the use of biosolids as fertilizer also increases the level of nitrate (NO3), arsenic concentration, phosphorus, iron, and manganese because of the presence of anaerobic environment in soil (Peckenham et al. 2008). Upon examing the effects to the concentration of metals including Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn after applying biosolids to plants, the study of Sukkariyah et al. (2005) confirmed that the use of biosolids does not really affect the crop yield other than increasing the traces of metal concentration found in plants. In fact, the application of biosolids on agricultural activities could even cause serious harmful effects on the water and atmospheric environment. After studying the different impact of using manure, sewage biosolids, and controlled fertilizer in water environment, the research study of Richards et al. (2004) revealed that the use of biosolids or sludge as fertilizer in a dairy farm could lead to serious environmental damages because of the high levels concentration of percolate Cu, percolate sodium, sulfur, soluble orthophosphate that runs off to the stream. These elements could significantly harm the ecosystem causing the extinction of the sea creatures. Aside from causing serious damage to the sea waters, Tabachow, the use of biosolids could also cause serious damage in our ozone layer. Upon examining the impact of using biosolids-ammended soil (BSA), mineral-ferlizer ammended soil (MFA), and unamended soil, Tabachow, Peirce and Jousset (2001) revealed that the application of BSA and MFA could seriously damage the ozone levels in the lower troposphere because of the high emission levels of nitric oxide (NO) or five times the level of NO emission as compared to the use of unamended soil. The problem with high concentration of NO in soil is that emitting too much NO could lessen the quality of the air we breathe. Health Concerns of Using Sludge or Sewage Biosolids in Food Agricultural Activities Several studies reported that excessive use of biosolids as fertilizer could lead to plant and animal toxicity because of the presence of high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil and water. (Sukreeyapongse, Panichsakpatana and Thongmarg 2001; Jarausch-Wehrheim, Mocquot and Mench 1999) Back in 1850s, the presence of sewage in Thames River was reported to be the source of cholera outbreak (National Research Council 1996). Even though we have treated the wastewater by conventional treatment process, there is a possibility that some of these chemical content would remain in our drinking water (Templeton, Graham and Voulvoulis 2009). In line with this, Sukreeyapongse, Panichsakpatana and Thongmarg (2001) revealed that one of the major health problems with having the presence of high levels of nitrate (NO-3) concentration in our drinking water is that it could cause chemical suffocation disease to newborn babies. Aside from the danger of having a high level of nitrate concentration in water, the Water Environment Federation (2000) reported that there were some past research studies suggesting that the presence of heavy metals like lead and mercury could lead to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease –a degenerative muscular and nerve disease as a result of non-functioning motor neurons which are responsible in transmitting electrical impulses from the brain to the body’s volunatry muscles. Within a society, New Jersey advisory was published back in 2003 reporting that “the infants, children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and women of childbearing age are at high risk from contaminants in fish as compared to other members of the general public” (National Sludge Alliance 2003). Depending on the degree of wastewater treatment and biosolids processing, the study of Apedaile (2005) discussed the possibility that biosolids contain harmful pathogens such as bacteria, helminth worms, viruses, and protozoa. Considering that these pathogens can enter the human body in several ways including direct ingestion of infected foods, inhalation of bioaerosols, and direct contact with infectious agents through an open skin, there is a higher chance that people would develop an outbreak of existing and new diseases. After conducting a three-year epidemiological study on the use of biosolids as fertilizer in Ohio, Dorn et al. (1985) found out that the use of biosolids in agriculture could cause digestive and respiratory problems based on conducting tuberculin, fecal sampling, and blood test on people living in the farm areas where the research study was conducted. Discussion The continuous increase in human population resulted to the significant increase not only in the demand for food and water but also the production of biosolids. To solve the demand and supply problem, a lot of developed countries have considered the act of recycling the wastewaters. Lewis, Booth and Hill (2004) claims that the use of recycled biosolids as fertilizer is “safe, reliable, and environmental friendly in terms of solving residual disposal problems”. In line with this, Mitchell, Costanzo and Foster (2006) explained that processing solid residue of wastewater treatment plants is beneficial in terms of conserving energy and other resources. On the contrary, many people around the world find it controversial as to whether or not we should make use of biosolids in agriculture simply because the disadvantages of recycling sludge into plant fertilizer outweighs the environmental and health advantages of this activity (Goodman and Goodman 2006). As a general knowledge, whatever we consume on land will be transferred to the seawaters. In line with this, Templeton, Graham and Voulvoulis (2009) explained that the use of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in disinfecting the wastewater is not a good idea because of the fact that this harmful chemicals would eventually flow to the seawater and eventually our drinking water. For this reason, people are adviced to refrain from the use of BDPs because it contains harmful compounds that could trigger fatal disease like cancer. Biosolids are used as manure because of its high nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) content aside from being a good source of micronutrients and organic matter for plants. (Apedaile 2005; Yamur, Kaydan and Arvas 2005) Despite the government’s effort to promote the recycling of wastewaters, Apedaile (2005) identified the two main concerns of the people to be “the sources of sewage discharges and the presence of pathogens in the sewage biosolids”. Although it is cheap to use biosolids as fertilizer, Charles (2004) strongly suggest that sludge or sewage biosolids should never be recycled and reused because of the long list of adverse environmental and public health effects as a consequences of using biosolids as fertilizer in food and non-food agricultural activities. The problem with using sludge or biosolids as fertilizer is the fact that this product could result to the increase of elements that are way above the natural levels of the agricultural land and toxicity to the health of plants and animals. Aside from totally banning the use of biosolids as fertilizer in food and non-food agricultural activities, Corrêa, White and Weatherley (2005) strongly recommends the use of sludge stabilization as a way of minimizing the harmful environmental and health effects of using biosolids in agriculture. Recommendations Given that there are a lot of UK-based businesses involved in the recycling of wastewaters and manufacturing of fertilizers using the collected sewage biosolids, the European Commission and European governments should re-consider studying the environmental and health consequences of continuously promoting the use of biosolids in agricultural activities. Only then would the UK and European government would be able to develop alternative options that could minimize the harmful effects of using fertilizers in agriculture. Studies show that the high levels of heavy metals present in the water cause harmful effects to the terrestrial ecosystem and the health of the sea creatures and human beings. For this reason, UK and EU government should work together in terms of strengthening the businesses’ compliance with the 1986 EU Sludge Directive (86/27/EEC) as a way of controlling the levels of concentration of heavy metals like Zn, Cu, and Ni that highly contaminates the seawaters, rivers, and lakes. To ensure that the local and foreign business that are related to the use of biosolids would strictly comply with the regulation of the use of sludge, the government should impose heavy penalty in the form of money and years in prison to those individuals who will be proven guilty of intentionally violating the law. Aiming to inform the farmers regarding the negative consequences of relying too much on the use of fertilizers made of biosolids, UK and EU government should form a committee that will be assigned to conduct environmental and health teachings concerning the use of biosolids as fertilizer in food and non-food agricultural activities. Conclusion The main purpose of treating wastewaters through the conventional water treatment process is to purify the wastewater making the water safe for human consumption. As part of treating the wastewaters, water treatment operators would are expected collect sewage biosolids at the end of the tertiary process. Because of the continuously increasing population around the world, the idea of recycling the wastewaters came up. Although studies revealed that biosolids can be used as fertilizer in agriculture, the negative environmental and health consequences of relying too much on the use of biosolids could lead to more disadvantages than its advantages. Biosolids are solid wastes that were not broken down into simpler organic matter. The problem with using the collected sewage biosolids as fertilizer in agricultural activities is that biosolids contain heavy metals, pathogens, and other environmental and health hazardous components. Eventually, the presence of these harmful chemicals and pathogens can lead to the development of long-term irreversible environmental and health-related problems such as cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and cholera among others. Because of the environmental and health concerns associated with the use of biosolids in agriculture, UK and EU governments should encourage the scientists to develop new ways of making the use of biosolids less harmful to our environment and health. *** End *** Figure I – Wastewater Treatment Process Flow References Air Pollution Information System. 2009. Eutrophication [Online]. [cited September 18, 2009] . 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Available from: Yamur, Mehmet, Didem Kaydan, and Osmetullah Arvas. 2005. Effects of Sewage Biosolid Application on Seed Protein Ratios, Seed NP Contents, Some Morphological and Yield Characters in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.). Research Journal of Agricluture and Biological Sciences 1(4):308 - 14. Read More