Can biosolids be used safely?
Despite the endorsement of agricultural land application of biosolids by the U.S. EPA and a considerable number of agricultural and environmental scientists (National Research Council, 1996; American Society of Agronomy, 1994; Stukenberg et al., 1993), some scientists dispute the claim that biosolids used according to EPA guidelines can be safely applied in all instances. These scientists cite concerns about the buildup of toxic concentrations of trace elements in the soil and the food chain; the potential transport of pathogens into water, air and the human food chain; the potential toxicity and carcinogenicity of the multitude of organic compounds; and risk from other constituents which have not been thoroughly studied (e.g., radioactive isotopes). Standards and practices more conservative than required by the Part 503 Rule have been developed and recommended by the Technical Committee of Northeastern Regional Research Coordinating Project (NEC-28, Soil Research) [Pennsylvania State
