What are biosolids?
Does biosolids act as an alternative to current agricultural practices or is it viewed as an unsanitary nuisance?
Pros
Biosolids are a cost effective way of disposal and can be used as a fertilizer for farmers. It’s better to recycle waster rather than burning it or dumping it in a landfill.The Ontario Ministry of the Environment concluded that "the MOE has approved the land application of sewage biosolids for more than 25 years with no documented adverse impacts on agricultural production, or human and animal health where Ministry Guidelines were followed". Environment Canada also stated, "There is little evidence to incriminate treated biosolids in disease outbreaks when treatment and application are performed in a careful and controlled manner”. Biosolids are also tested for any traces of metal and Ontario do not permit applications of biosolids that contain metal.
Cons
My main concern is the composition of the biosolids. We know it is basically human waste but what do humans eat? What can humans produce out of their system? It could contain a hazardous chemical. Another concern is the odour. If you were to use biosolids in your front garden, would you want to smell it every time you walk out of your house?
In Toronto, wastewater treatment allows solids in the sewage to settle. Microorganisms consume the solids as food. The digestion of this process produces carbon dioxide, ammonia and methane. The methane is collected and is used as boiler fuel to run the sewage plant. The biosolids are also reused and disposed in other ways. Below is a chart the methods Toronto used to dispose or reuse biosolids in 2008.
My Opinion
I think that Toronto is doing a fine job of using and disposing biosolids. They are planning to take action and use a future plan to efficiently use and dispose biosolids in an eco friendly way in 2025. I think it’s wonderful that people reuse biosolids as an efficient fertilizer. There were no documents of disease outbreaks and adverse impacts on agricultural production so what is the harm of using it? If there was a way to remove or lower the strength of the smell of biosolids, then a lot more people will choose to use it.
References
Commented On:
Denise's blog - http://bioleven.blogspot.com/2010/03/next-time-think-before-you-flush.html
Denise's blog - http://bioleven.blogspot.com/2010/03/next-time-think-before-you-flush.html
1 comments:
Hi Jenny!
I definitely agree with you that it's wonderful that people around the world are reusing biosolids. I know that there are many people who oppose the idea, but as you said, what's the harm in using it if it's been approved by environmental agencies? I think they have actually found a way to lower the odour of the biosolids by putting it in lime first to balance out the pH level. I definitely do not want to walk out of my house in the morning smelling human waste, but hopefully the odour of biosolids can be eliminated before being used.