Emerging environmental health risks associated with the land application of biosolids: a scoping review

Environmental Health

Review

Elizabeth A. Pozzebon¹  Lars Seifert¹ 

[1] California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 2017, 95682-2017, Cameron Park, CA, USA;

关键词: Biosolids;    Emerging pollutants;    Land application;    Microplastics;    Organic contaminants;    Per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS);    Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs);   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12940-023-01008-4

 received in 2022-10-17, accepted in 2023-08-14,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundOver 40% of the six million dry metric tons of sewage sludge, often referred to as biosolids, produced annually in the United States is land applied. Biosolids serve as a sink for emerging pollutants which can be toxic and persist in the environment, yet their fate after land application and their impacts on human health have not been well studied. These gaps in our understanding are exacerbated by the absence of systematic monitoring programs and defined standards for human health protection.MethodsThe purpose of this paper is to call critical attention to the knowledge gaps that currently exist regarding emerging pollutants in biosolids and to underscore the need for evidence-based testing standards and regulatory frameworks for human health protection when biosolids are land applied. A scoping review methodology was used to identify research conducted within the last decade, current regulatory standards, and government publications regarding emerging pollutants in land applied biosolids.ResultsCurrent research indicates that persistent organic compounds, or emerging pollutants, found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products, microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have the potential to contaminate ground and surface water, and the uptake of these substances from soil amended by the land application of biosolids can result in contamination of food sources. Advanced technologies to remove these contaminants from wastewater treatment plant influent, effluent, and biosolids destined for land application along with tools to detect and quantify emerging pollutants are critical for human health protection.ConclusionsTo address these current risks, there needs to be a significant investment in ongoing research and infrastructure support for advancements in wastewater treatment; expanded manufacture and use of sustainable products; increased public communication of the risks associated with overuse of pharmaceuticals and plastics; and development and implementation of regulations that are protective of health and the environment.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

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