Risk of Infectious Disease from Use of Sludge on Land and Methods to Reduce These Risks

摘要

Virtually all of the infectious organisms in wastewater end up in the sludge removed in the course of wastewater treatment. The health risks to humans when sludges are applied to land depend on the densities of these organisms, reductions that occur when the sludge is processed, the hardiness of the organisms on or in the land surfaces, and the available pathways to man. The presentation discusses each of these issues for pathogenic bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths. The combination of sludge processing requirements and other controls, such as control of access and type of crops growing, used by the U.S. EPA in their regulations governing sludge use on land are presented and discussed.