Project Page Views: [ 641 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Measurement and modelling of health impacts arising from the landspreading of biosolids |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Mark Healy |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.27905, -9.05794 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/04/2013 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/04/2015 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Wastewater treatment; Resource Efficiency; Biosolids; Human health |
| Project Abstract | The land application of biosolids, the by-product of urban wastewater treatment, provides a sustainable and beneficial alternative to landfilling, and is in line with national and EU policy, which warns against over-reliance on landfill and supports resource efficiency and re-use of waste. In Ireland, guidelines governing the application of biosolids to land do not consider the relationship between biosolids application rate and surface runoff of nutrients, suspended sediment, pathogens, emerging contaminants, or metals; nor do they consider the dose-response relationship between associated hazards and human health. Therefore, the aims of this study are to: (1) undertake a thorough literature review of the spreading of biosolids on land to include analysis of potential impacts on environmental and human health (2) examine, under controlled conditions in the laboratory and field, the impact of the landspreading of biosolids (on grassland) on surface runoff/subsurface drainage/shallow groundwater of nutrients, solids, metals, pathogens and some specified EC identified in the literature review (either natural toxins, veterinary medicine, or hormones arising from animals), when spread based on N and P application rates (3) to model and conduct a risk assessment of potential hazards of human health concern, using data generated in 1 and 2 above. Research capacity: This project is a new research collaboration between two research groups NUIG/Teagasc and UCD. This project will broaden the knowledge base of work in this area, create synergies, and will foster new collaborations and research links into the future. Policy: Legislation governing the application of biosolids to land does not consider surface runoff of nutrients, SS, pathogens, emerging contaminants, metals, or impact on human health. Publications: peer reviewed journal and conference papers, reports for EPA and policy makers; guidance documents for farmers and industry. |