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ORD'S RESEARCH ON PATHOGENS IN BIOSOLIDS
Citation:
FOUT, G. ORD'S RESEARCH ON PATHOGENS IN BIOSOLIDS. Presented at Water Environmental Federal Pacific Southwest Organics Residuals Symposium, Sacramento, CA, July 12 - 14, 2006.
Impact/Purpose:
The objectives of this task are to:
Description:
In 2002 the National Academy of Sciences issued a report on EPA's regulations governing the preparation of class A and B biosolids. They stated that the science supporting the rule was outdated and recommended that EPA develop new standardized methods for measuring pathogens in biosolids. They also recommended that the Agency "promote research which uses improved pathogen detection technology to better establish the reliability of its pathogen treatment processes and biosolids-use controls to achieve and maintain minimal exposure over time." EPA responded to this report by developing and validating methods 1680 and 1681 for fecal coliform bacteria, method 1682 for the Salmonella, and by initiating the development of new methods for enteric viruses. This presentation discusses the problems associated with the original methods specified in the regulations and describes the development of the new methods.