Sewage wastes are treated by a wastewater plant which goes through physical, chemical and biological processes, and biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic matter results. In the process, they eliminate pathogens and heavy metals from the wastes. Biosolids can act as a soil amendment or fertilizer, which improves the physical properties of the soil leading to better growth of crops. It enriches forests and land that has been worn down. In 
Even though sewage wastes are treated, they’re a huge combination of chemicals from…who-knows! They contain countless contaminants, including metals, pesticides, and just anything that’s been dumped into a sewer, which becomes sewage sludge. Even though sewage treatments reduce the number of pathogens to a minimum, there are still some that are left which can affect us! Also, heavy metal accumulation in soils is toxic for living organisms. There has been an investigation on airborne pathogens, which can affect workers causing them to be exposed to pathogenic organisms. Of course, a mixture of thousands of wastes would lead to unpleasantly pungent odors. These fertilizers may get into our foods, but then again, most of our foods are contaminated with pesticides already.
There are pros and cons to biosolids, but the major thing we should look upon is for our health. It may corrupt our foods, and create new diseases along the line, but right now there hasn’t been any sign of dangers. I say biosolids pass, because either way, this waste is going to be created daily (healthy person = 3 times a day!!!!) and it’s not going anywhere so why not put it to good use. I know that it’s gross, because I’ll feel like I’m eating my own poop, or someone else’s, but…food is food, and if it tastes the same and does the work, we just have to overlook the process it’s been through. Some people may say it’s risky because we don’t actually know what biosolids are made of, but there’s nothing in this world that comes without a risk factor.
References
"About Biosolids." Biosolids. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.biosolids.com/basics.html>.
<http://www.biosolids.com/basics.html>.
"FAQ - Biosolids." CWWA. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.cwwa.ca/faqbiosolids_e.asp>.
"Heavy Metal Soil Contamination." Soil Quality. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
<http://mail.ilconservation.com/IUMPDF/appendix/u03.pdf>.
<http://mail.ilconservation.com/IUMPDF/appendix/u03.pdf>.
"Human waste shouldn't be fertilizer?" Poop Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.poopreport.com/BMnewswire/189.html>.
<http://www.poopreport.com/BMnewswire/189.html>.
"A Perspective on Biosolids Management." The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases . N.p., n.d.
Web. 9 Dec. 2010. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2094821/>.
"Where does my poop go?" Portland
http://www.portlandmercury.com/news/where-does-my-poop-go/Content?oid=28160.
http://www.portlandmercury.com/news/where-does-my-poop-go/Content?oid=28160.
Comments
I feel the same way. I get grossed out when I think of biosolids even going near my food, however, biosolids have been put to good use. The foods that I eat haven't changed physically nor have changed in taste, so I guess biosolids are not harmful. Human waste is definetely useful when treated the correct way!
ReplyDeleteYa to Claudia, in deed biosolid is more useful than what we think of, and so, with this blog, i am able to learn more about it, how the ecology function. And so does the nutrient of the biosolid
ReplyDeletehow does it help in the agriculture, in deed people use livestocks' organic waste to fertilise the crops in the past, and nowadays, however, some if there was not enough human waste was used too~
Nicely Done ;) I really like how you did your blog, althought the topic was a little nasty, it showed a new light that we should all consider. I liked how you showed the process through diagram for a visual effect. It was a fun way to do it.
ReplyDeleteHey Dora! When I think biosolids I would have never thought that it was made out of thinks like our waste. I like that biosolids are used in good ways, for example like fertilizers. I also liked that biosolids aren't just taking up space in landfill but rather they are being recycled and put to good use. One thing that i found interesting that was brought up was the fact that unhealthy fertilizers might into our food but there might already be pesticides in it. That sounds really scary, but to be honest i haven't been able to tell the difference if there is or there isn't anything bad in the food i eat.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never knew biosoild was a great effect on our environment. It would have effected us greatly if we didn't have this way of improving the soil. I agree when you say that this way is gross and that it feels like eating your own poop. Anyways this is a great blog and i look forward to seeing your other blogs later in the future.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that was sort of amazing and gross at the same time. But really, biosolids will be helping Earth as an entirety since it won't be taking up space in landfills AND it's also fertilizing the ground. The risk factor that involve humans (and animals, sort of) is just a small price to pay. I mean, it is our fault there are landfills and unwanted chemicals anyway.
ReplyDeleteHey Dora! To be brutally honest this topic grosses me out from the beginning, and just thinking of biosolids going anywhere near the food we ate, it really isn't satisfying. That being said, i do agree with you when you said that as long as it is being put to good use, than it is okay to have biosolids as a fertilizer. I think there is a lot of controversy when it comes to this topic, just because of the pros and cons of human waste being put to good use, but as long as our food has not changed, than hey, why not put it to good use. At least, it means no landfills and nasty chemicals that are unwanted on Earth! Thanks for this great read!
ReplyDeleteTaylor Lecours
Wong
Section: 03
Hello Dora! Interesting blog, I must say. Even though the topic was a little nasty, I still agree that biosolid makes a great effort in reducing the need for chemical fertilizers on farms and how it’s a much less cost efficient alternative for farmers. Biosolids are easily the first step on the path to a new, more sustainable tomorrow.
ReplyDelete"But as your mother would say, poop is a very good fertilizer, as it still contains nutrients and minerals that the soil needs."
ReplyDeleteLies, Dora! My mom never said that to me. Nor do I think that that's something any other mom would say to her kids.
Aside from that one thing, though, your blog post was very truthful and informative. You've done a great job highlighting both sides of the argument. Especially good call on the airborne pathogens (then again, they aren't exclusive to biosolid-produced food)! Your last paragraph especially resonated with me: our health does come first. Thankfully, there haven't been any extreme health hazards announced and biosolids seem like a pretty 'solid' (pun intended) option.
It was a great read. Thanks, Dora!
Inggrid
http://ih8biology.tumblr.com
Sorry, guess it's only for the families with dogs.......hahahhaha my lawn is very, very healthy
ReplyDeletenah...we pick up the poop! :)
Yes Dora! There is nothing in this world that comes without a risk factor. I agree with that statement 100%. Nice blog, you are right. We should put our waste in use and help the environment, its the least we can do right? We can promote farming, reduce emissions from transportation to landfills and its even a good free fertilizer!
ReplyDeleteHi Dora, I agree with what you're saying. By switching to biosolids, we do save space in landfills. By switching to biosolids, we can help the environment because we won't be burning so much fossil fuels with all the trips to and from the landfills. And we can dispose of them by recycling which is another plus point.
ReplyDeleteNice job Dora! I agree that there are many pros, as well as cons when it comes to biosolids. We can get richer soil and crops with its use, and there would be no need for chemical fertilizers. But at the same time, no one is fully sure of what exactly biosolids contain. I agree though, so far there have been no major issues with biosolids and our health, and we need to take a risk by agreeing to use biosolids. That is the only way we'll ever know if biosolids are an advantage or a disadvantage to our food and our health.
ReplyDeleteAmazing blog, Dora! You've managed to not dismiss our worries about the icky side of biosolids, but you have so much informative research and proof about its benefits!
ReplyDeleteI like how you emphasized the fact that biosolids do contain unknown substances, which is important, because this affects the food that we eat.
The way you phrased it in your last paragraph, "I say biosolids pass, because either way, this waste is going to be created daily (healthy person = 3 times a day!!!!) and it’s not going anywhere so why not put it to good use. "
Such a simple concept, I mean it's only logical not to let things go to waste (even if it is waste)!
Really informative, and I loved the graphics. Great blog!
Connie
Great job Dora! I really enjoyed reading your blog. Yes, I completely agree with you that our health is a big consideration for the use of biosolids. Of course the government promises that the use of biosolids is safe, but what if it is not done properly? Things could go wrong if the fertilizer is not applied properly and not monitored. As well, the quality of biosolids overtime might decrease to cut costs for companies. Perhaps the use of biosolids needs to be researched more and experimented with before it is applied into mainstream farms. At the same time, I like the idea of biosolids because it reduces landfills and is more environmentally friendly. Perhaps one day biosolids will be used as fertilizers for all farms, and scientists must guarantee the health of Canadians is not negatively affected before I can fully trust the use of biosolids. Great blog, like always.
ReplyDeleteVery well done Dora! It is amazing to know that human waste can actually be very useful in promoting plant growth, conserving landfill space, and improving crop production. By supporting the application of biosolids, we are encouraging this environmentally friendly procedure to be a common practice. We should all consider using biosolids agriculturally when the opportunity arises.
ReplyDeleteGood job Dora!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog! i found it very informative! I agree with you on the fact that by using biosolids as fertilizer we aren't wasting space in landfills, rather, we are recycling. Although some people find it gross (me including) that our food is being grown in our own waste it is clearly for the better. Like you said, not only does it help out farmers, it also helps us preserve our environment. I find your idea that "we shouldn't let things go to waste" so relevant when discussing this topic. Instead of letting the waste well, be waste, we should put it to use! Great blog!
Nicole Duffy-LeBlanc
SBI 3U1 # 04
Collymore
Hey Dora! Loved some of the random facts in this blog (healthy person pooping 3 times a day). I agree that the pros of using biosolids is actually pretty green, if you know what I mean. Everything has a risk factor these days, like you said, and I don't really see the harm in using our wastes as fertilizers even though it sounds disgusting. Our world is running out of clean water, so eliminating the contaminations in the water is awesome for the generations that are yet to come. The diseases and chemicals, I'm not so much concerned about because everything is filled with chemicals these days. Overall, great blog! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Dora!
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with the fact that the things that end up in biosolids are completely random and unknown. A major problem that arises from utilizing biosolids is the psychological effects it will have on people. Most people would find it repulsive.
Although I agree that most great results involves great risks, health should not be a factor that can be easily be put into risk.
Hey Dora, great job on the blog. Informative and enjoying to read. That aside, the topic of biosolids never grossed me out since we use manure as fertilizer anyways, it doesn't seem like too much of a difference. I think it's great that humans are finding other ways to dispose their wastes other than dumping them in landfills or burning them. Though the message of 'going green' is popular these days, the idea biosolids still containing pathogens and other harmful contents is still a bit concerning.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Dora!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely did not put in our worries as westernized people, but you also proved that we shouldn't be so worried since, like you said, "food is food". This may be a cringing topic but I really enjoyed reading your post :)
Hey Dora, interesting points you have there. It seems to me that some people can't quite get over to fact that the foods we eat and the plants in our environment are grown with biosolids. I, for one, don't have a problem with it. In nature, there is no public washroom, nor any industrialized processes to separate waste from non-waste materials - and yet nature lives to see another day. Put into perspective, one can consider the water that we drink every single day as dinosaur urine, but we don't think of that. If every human get dismiss that mindset of eating vegetables grown from our own wastes, it would get a lot more appreciation.
ReplyDelete