[USCC] Vol 29, #9--Regulation by various agencies

[frank]

Edo, and others,

Treating biosolids is a never ending step-by-step process. The 503 regs 
have worked very well and IMO the best regulations regarding compost 
that has occurred. They should not be changed. They set a goal for 
reducing the previous high concentrations of metals and contaminants 
found in biosolids to these low amounts. All the samples we now test 
meet these goals. The 503's were never 'flawed' and I am sure the 
scientist working on them never intended they were the 'final' say. This 
step has now been achieved.

Writing about "that land applied sewer sludge (aka biosolids) does not 
stay where it is placed", "pathogens do move"," sewage derived viruses 
had long survival", "Dust is a vehicle for pathogen movement"," finger 
to mouth transfer of pathogens" is more site specific problems, problem 
of the past and just a review of what we already know - that uncomposted 
biosolids contain pathogens and need strict attention to detail to 
reduce the risk to the public. This is what is now being done. It does 
not help to keep bringing these up but would be more help to decide what 
is the Next Step we should take. In several past posts I have given my 
view and am wondering what others, like you Edo, have in mind?

I agree with you that the industry should regulate itself, and what 
better way then the USCC taking the lead. We have the expertise and all 
involved in the industry.

What we need are more positive suggestions to move forward.



Frank






>I have shown in previous postings that the EPA enforcement division was highly stressed and essentially incapable of adequate monitoring. Again, it must be remembered that the EPA Inspector General came to this same conclusion. The agency actually does not regulate as much as it depends on industry to self-regulate. This situation has seen an absence of record keeping and thus the "absence of illnesses" has been a self-fulfilling prophecy based on the lack of adequate policy. 
>
>Until the industry begins to help police itself in a very serious way, it will suffer being tarred with the same brush as those bad apples within its midst. In the long run the spin doctors who claim all is well will help lead the industry down the primrose path into ruin. Science will prevail over spin. Science does not flow from authority and dogma does not direct science in spite what some in the spin industry may think.
>
>>From the Lynchburg Virginia 
>News and Advance 
>
>Monday, July 17, 2006 
>
>
>State environmental officials are studying the sources of pollution in Lynchburg-area waterways. Officials with the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Virginia’s Region 2000-Local Government Council held a public meeting at Lynchburg College on Monday night to share preliminary results of a yearlong water quality study to be completed in early 2007. 
>
>
>So far, the study has found a variety of ways the pollutant enters the waterways, including through: pet, livestock and wildlife waste; combined sewer overflows; biosolids and broken septic systems. 
>
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-- 
Frank Shields
Soil Control Lab
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Watsonville, CA  95076
(831) 724-5422 tel
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