Sewage Sludge Use in Food Production

by **Juan_Bottom** on Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:23 am

http://www.organicconsumers.org/article ... _15157.cfm

There can be NO excuse for this. WTF were they thinking?

Sewage sludge can contain disease-causing microbes, synthetic chemicals, and heavy metals that can cause acute and chronic disease, finds the "Smart Guide on Sludge Use in Food Production" by IATP's Marie Kulick. Many of these contaminants can persist in soil for centuries and can enter the food system through crops grown on sludge-treated land, as well as through food animals that graze on sludge-treated land.

Currently, there is no labeling requirement for food produced on land treated with sewage sludge, and consumers may find it difficult to know if they are using a sludge-based fertilizer product. IATP developed the "Smart Guide" and companion resources to help consumers make informed food and fertilizer choices.

"Given the high contaminant content of sludge, it makes no sense to allow the use of sludge on agricultural land or home gardens," says Kulick. "This practice poses an unnecessary health risk, particularly when there are safer alternatives available."

by **pimpdave** on Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:56 am

I don't care WHAT you say, I still like KFC.

by **jonesthecurl** on Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:02 am

"NIght Soil" has always been used as a fertilizer. Why horse manure and not human?
The worrying thing about this story is the presence of all those other nasty things - the poo needs to be sterilized properly and the various chemical and metal stuff sepatated

by **Juan_Bottom** on Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:58 am

There is a difference between some mountain tribe using their fertilizer, and a modern sewage treatment plant selling theirs.... We are taught this stuff in like 6th grade ag.
We ingest a lot of things (medicines mostly) that aren't natural, which we pass into our urine and stool.
There is a big scare about that right now, about all types of medications making it into city drinking water.

by **Sentinel XIV** on Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:59 am

Juan_Bottom wrote:There is a difference between some mountain tribe using their fertilizer, and a modern sewage treatment plant selling theirs.... We are taught this stuff in like 6th grade ag.
We ingest a lot of things (medicines mostly) that aren't natural, which we pass into our urine and stool.
There is a big scare about that right now, about all types of medications making it into city drinking water.

That's why I only drink my own urine. At least I know what's in it.

by **strike wolf** on Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:17 pm

Juan_Bottom wrote:There is a difference between some mountain tribe using their fertilizer, and a modern sewage treatment plant selling theirs.... We are taught this stuff in like 6th grade ag.
We ingest a lot of things (medicines mostly) that aren't natural, which we pass into our urine and stool.
There is a big scare about that right now, about all types of medications making it into city drinking water.

Not to mention certain materials that might come off of the pipes.

by **Neoteny** on Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:07 pm

Juan.

by **Juan_Bottom** on Fri Oct 17, 2008 4:37 am

Neoteny wrote:[-X Juan.

What up?

by **Neoteny** on Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:54 pm

Juan_Bottom wrote:
Neoteny wrote:[-X Juan.

What up?

I take issue with many of your fertilizer worries.

by **apey** on Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:59 pm

you guys are worried about this? Do you eat mcdonalds? what is the difference?

by **mpjh** on Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:02 pm

Juan_Bottom wrote:There is a difference between some mountain tribe using their fertilizer, and a modern sewage treatment plant selling theirs.... We are taught this stuff in like 6th grade ag.
We ingest a lot of things (medicines mostly) that aren't natural, which we pass into our urine and stool.
There is a big scare about that right now, about all types of medications making it into city drinking water.

Yes, the estrogen found in the water of the Patomic River is causing the fish to change sex. No telling what it is doing to humans?