[USCC] Response to Dave & Frank re: Vol 30, Nos 1 & 3 Regulation of various agencies

[Alternatives, L.L.C.]

Edo,
I believe that Mother Nature has been taking care of highly contagious and
contaminated fecal matter, flesh and bone from humans and animals for a lot
longer than man has had indoor plumbing and sewage treatment systems.  In
almost every gram of soil in the rooting zone of plants there are
microorganisms capable of degrading almost any natural or man made
pharmaceutical and chemical, even though some are more recalcitrant than
others.  And, pathogens in human waste are basically the same in any fecal
matter from warm blooded animals, with few exceptions.  I don't believe that
I would be too concerned about putting animal manure on my garden, leaving
it there for two or three months and planting potatoes, cucumbers, squash,
or any other edible plant in it.  Would you?

I don't understand where the idea of hospice or mortuary or hospital wastes
fall into you fear factor you intend to portray, but any contaminated wastes
are incinerated, not thrown in the sink.  The blood and other waste washed
from utensils and excreted by patients would be the same that are excreted
by humans in sinks and toilets at homes.  So, what is your point?   

The pathogenic microorganisms can not persist in soils because they are not
under conditions that would allow survival.  When incorporated into soils,
pathogenic microorganisms are easily out-competed for the remaining
resources in the materials by prolific aerobic and facultative organisms in
soils.  Aerobic conditions in soils are not consistent with required
conditions for pathogens, and temperatures are far lower than required for
pathogen survival.  What makes you think that pathogens could survive in
dusty conditions along road sides where bisolids are applied?  I also see
very little chance of chemical resistant pathogens being a problem in
production soils, based on the low numbers and survival of pathogens outside
the host organisms.  My question is, why worry about passing chemical
resistance to soil microorganisms?  The pathogens in humans may already have
that resistance, and most soil microorganisms are not pathogenic.  

Are you aware of the rules for biosolids use in the United States?  Class A
exceptional quality biosolids are used in residential areas.  Composted
biosolids, after undergoing PFRP, and with acceptable heavy metal and
pathogen concentrations, can be used in residential areas.  This material is
safe for unrestricted use.  Surface movement of cow manure occurs during
rainstorms too, and pathogens may flow into streams from cow pies as well.
Does this mean we can't let cattle onto pastures to graze?  Show me the
numbers, not rhetoric, if you want to convince me of the risk.  

If there was a clear link to the workers comp cases and the biosolids at the
prison of which you speak, it would have been easily made by health
professionals or by the employees themselves.  What is the nature of the
employee health problems, and how many are attributable to factors that come
from biosolids? I agree that the industry has no desire to study such
potential health risks, and that there is a need for improved regulatory
frameworks for biosloids use and disposal.  But, at the moment there is no
need for a significant change because even the most devout activist can not
find significant proof that the current system adversely effects human
health. With as many that try to find fault, you might think that somebody
would find something.

Water borne disease is usually the result of decaying bodies in water and in
cases where excessive dumping of raw sewage occurs in waterways or water
bodies.  To my knowledge, never has there ever been a case of water born
disease resulting from land application of biosolids or home use of
composted biosolids.  I don't believe that as much risk of water borne
disease is possible from runoff from soils amended with biosolids as could
occur from drinking water downstream from a cow watering hole, or from a
mountain stream.  There has been documentation to support this position.

My question to you and other anti-biosolids use activists is: does your
aversion to biosolids land application stem from a rational fear or from an
irrational phobia.  I believe we see a case of Biosolidsphobia expressed
here.  Without documentation that clearly supports that biosolids land
application is a contributing factor to sickness and disease in humans or
animals, the hysterical ranting of anti-biosolids activists must be based in
fear.  

Dave Schellinger
Alternatives, L.L.C.