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Development, and Ground-Truthing, of Analytical Tools for Measuring Select Emerging Contaminants (ECs) in a Sub-Set of Biosolids Collected During OW's 2006-2007 National Biosolids Survey Project
Citation:
JONES-LEPP, T. L. Development, and Ground-Truthing, of Analytical Tools for Measuring Select Emerging Contaminants (ECs) in a Sub-Set of Biosolids Collected During OW's 2006-2007 National Biosolids Survey Project. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-10/108, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
On February 19, 1993, EPA promulgated the CFR 40 Part 503 Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge, resulting in numerical standards for ten metals and operational standards for microbial organisms. The 1993 rule established requirements for the final use or disposal of sewage sludge when it is: (1) applied to land as a fertilizer or soil amendment; (2) placed in a surface disposal site, including sewage sludge-only landfills; or (3) incinerated. These requirements apply to publicly and privately owned treatment works that generate or treat domestic sewage sludge and to anyone who uses or disposes of sewage sludge. Under Section 405(d), of the Clean Water Act, EPA establishes numerical limits and management practices that protect public health and the environment from the reasonably anticipated adverse effects of chemical and microbial pollutants in sewage sludge. EPA's statutory requirements under the Clean Water Act, Section 405(d)(2)(C), is to conduct a review of the 40 CFR 503 standards not less than every two years for purposes of regulating new pollutants where sufficient data exist. The purpose of such reviews is to identify additional toxic pollutants and promulgate regulations for those pollutants consistent with the requirements set forth.
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged by Congress to protect the nation’s natural resources. Under the mandate of national environmental laws, the EPA strives to formulate and implement actions leading to a compatible balance between human activities and the ability of natural systems to support and nurture life. To meet this mandate, the EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) provides data and scientific support that can be used to solve environmental problems, build the scientific knowledge base needed to manage ecological resources wisely, understand how pollutants affect public health, and prevent or reduce environmental risks. The National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) is the Agency’s center for investigation of technical and management approaches for identifying and quantifying exposures to human health and the environment. Goals of the laboratory’s research program are to: (1) develop and evaluate methods and technologies for characterizing and monitoring air, soil, and water; (2) support regulatory and policy decisions; and (3) provide the scientific support needed to ensure effective implementation of environmental regulations and strategies. This report presents the experimentation, results, findings, and recommendations of biosolids research conducted from 2006 to 2009. The data from this report will be transmitted to the Office of Water in support of EPA's statutory requirements under the Clean Water Act, Section 405(d)(2)(C), to conduct a review of the 40 CFR 503 standards not less than every two years for purposes of regulating new pollutants where sufficient data exist.