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PATHOGENS: WHERE DO WE STAND IN 2004?
Citation:
Smith* Jr., J E. PATHOGENS: WHERE DO WE STAND IN 2004? Presented at Water Environment Federation, Salt Lake City, UT, February 20 - 25, 2004.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
This presentation pulls together information from the 2001 USEPA/USDA Emerging Pathogens in Sludges and Manures Workshop, the 7/02 National Academy of Science Report, the 7/03 WERF Biosolids Summit, and the projects announced by USEPA on 12/31/03 to respond to the National Academy's finding.
Organisms of concern identified include the bacteria: E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, and Helicobacter; viruses: Poliovirus, Coxsackievirus, Echovirus, Hepatitis A, Rotavirus, and Norwalk agents; and parasites: Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Toxoplasma, microsporidia, Balantidium, and Giardia. The microbiological methods for fecal coliforms, Salmonella spp., enteric viruses, and helminth ova require standardization and validation. Work is needed to better document the presence of pathogens and other organisms in raw sewage sludge and their fate through the various treatment regimes including their survival in or on the soil or on crops after application of the treated sludge. Field verification of the efficacy of Class A and B treatment processes (including data to directly relate process controls to initial and final pathogen and indicator densities) is needed. Testing should include the presence, movement, and content of any aerosols.