Grantee Research Project Results
2023 Progress Report: Fate and Transport of Unregulated Organic Contaminants in Biosolids - Development of a Human and Environmental Exposure Risk Framework
EPA Grant Number: R840247Title: Fate and Transport of Unregulated Organic Contaminants in Biosolids - Development of a Human and Environmental Exposure Risk Framework
Investigators: Prasse, Carsten , Burke, Thomas A. , Nachman, Keeve
Institution: Johns Hopkins University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: September 1, 2021 through May 13, 2025
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2022 through August 31,2023
Project Amount: $1,498,000
RFA: National Priorities: Evaluation of Pollutants in Biosolids (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water Quality , Water , Water Treatment
Objective:
We propose a transdisciplinary and highly innovative project to develop a flexible framework for the prioritization of biosolids-associated organic contaminants (BOCs). The objectives are to 1) characterize the occurrence, fate, and transport of BOCs after land application of biosolids; 2) model BOC exposures and perform hazard and risk assessments to identify high-priority BOCs; and 3) utilize an array of communication channels to translate our findings and methodology for the wastewater and agriculture communities, regulators, and the general public.
Progress Summary:
During the second monitoring period, we have completed the characterization of the occurrence of biosolids-associated organic compounds (BOCs) using nontarget analysis (Objective 1). To this end, biosolids samples from across the United States were analyzed using a new non-target analysis workflow. During the monitoring period, we also completed a field study in which we investigated the uptake of BOCs in nine different produce and crop types. We further initiated laboratory experiments to investigate the biodegradation and leaching of BOC in biosolid amended soils. We have also started to develop of hazard and risk prioritization frameworks for biosolids-associated organic compounds, specifically in the domains of exposure assessment and hazard characterization (Objective 2). For the framework we are looking at a variety of health endpoints including cancer and genotoxicity and focus on both human or ecological receptors and associated exposure pathways. We have started to pilot this approach with using the results of the non-target analysis of the biosolids samples. We have also held two stakeholder advisory board meetings during which we presented the project results achieved to date and discussed them with the advisory board members.
Future Activities:
In the next monitoring period we will continue the laboratory experiments to assess biotransformation, leaching, and plant uptake, translocation and metabolism of BOCs. These laboratory experiments will be used to inform our interpretation of results obtained from our first field study that was conducted during this monitoring period. We will further conduct a second field study to evaluate groundwater leaching under field conditions. The data that we expect to generate in the next reporting period will be used for the development of the hazard and risk prioritization framework.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 8 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
measurement methods; environmental chemistry; organics; human healthProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.