Are there regulations governing the handling and use of biosolids?
The federal biosolids rule is contained in 40 CFR Part 503. Biosolids that are to be land applied or incinerated must meet these strict regulations and quality standards. The Part 503 rule governing the use and disposal of biosolids contain numerical limits for metals in biosolids, pathogen reduction standards, site restriction, crop harvesting restrictions and monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements for land applied biosolids as well as similar requirements for biosolids that are landfilled. Incinerated biosolids must meet metals standards and air emission requirements, including Clean Air Act provisions. Most recently, standards have been proposed to include requirements in the Part 503 rule that limit the concentration of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in biosolids. Biosolids are one of the most studied materials that have ever been regulated by EPA.
