Science Inventory

HELMINTH AND HEAVY METALS TRANSMISSION FROM ANAEROBICALLY DIGESTED SEWAGE SLUDGE

Citation:

Fitzgerald, P. HELMINTH AND HEAVY METALS TRANSMISSION FROM ANAEROBICALLY DIGESTED SEWAGE SLUDGE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-81/024.

Description:

This report discusses a study designed to determine the practical survival and transmission of the ova of the nematode worm Ascaris sp. through a modern sewage and sludge treatment process. Four large experiments and three smaller ones involving 178 specific pathogen free (SPF) pigs were used. Transmission of Ascaris sp. from liquid anaerobically digested sewage sludge, that had been stored for several years, occurred in a few pigs in each of the four large experiments. Also, Ascaris sp. transmission from Nu-earth, a dried and stored anaerobically digested sewage sludge, also occurred in pigs. In general, ova in anaerobically digested sludge or in Nu-earth remained unembryonated until after they were exposed to the air. Within six weeks after air exposure the ova began to embryonate and became infective for pigs. Swine were also exposed to different amounts of anaerobically digested and Nu-earth sludges containing heavy metals and organic compounds. Chemical analyses of kidneys, livers, hearts, diaphragm muscles and bones were conducted to determine uptake of heavy metals, cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, lead, chromium and nickel. Only cadmium showed significant tissue uptake. Neither control nor experimental pigs showed significant visceral fat uptake of organic compounds.

Record Details:

Record Type:DOCUMENT( REPORT )
Product Published Date:05/24/2002
Record Last Revised:04/16/2004
Record ID: 37306