Biosolids: A Safe Fertilizer!



In some parts of the world, biosolids from sewage treatment plants are treated and used as a sustainable agricultural fertilizer. Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic materials obtained from wastewater treatment (1). This nutrient-rich organic material can then be used as fertilizer. The question is however, is if biosolids are a realistic alternative to our current agricultural practices? In every situation there are both pros and cons but in this case, do the cons outweigh the pros? In my opinion, I would say no. The EPA promotes the land application of biosolids as a safe recycling method (2). Biosolids can be processed into fertilizers for farms, forests, and landscaping.

Before biosolids can be used on the land they need to go through a sewage treatment in which its harmful compounds are transformed into harmless compounds (3). In order to do this, the solid segments of the sewage must be removed first. Then sewage treatment facilities remove pathogens and other harmful elements. Once the cleansing and processing steps are done, the newly formed biosolids can be put to work.

The idea of using biosolids as a kind of fertilizer is a double-sided topic. The pros to using biosolids as fertilizer are (3):

• Cost effective way of disposing human waste
• Recycles waste rather then filling landfills with it
• Promotes farming and works as a free fertilizer
• Accepted by the EPA

The cons to using biosolids as a fertilizer are (3):

• Potential health hazard if the human waste is not treated properly
• Very foul smell
• Contamination resulting from an accumulation of industrial waste

Biosolids contain nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus which both improve and increase plant growth. When biosolids are used on agricultural lands it is beneficial to farmers, municipalities, and the community as a whole (2). The only problem with using biosolids as a fertilizer is that the western society views it as an unsanitary and disgusting way to get rid of human waste. Many people find it hard to eat food if it was once grown in biosolids. This taints the view of biosolids and makes people not want to use them. Many also find the strong odor of the biosolids a nuisance due to their musty, ammonia scented odor (4).

Personally, I believe that if the EPA finds biosolids a safe means of reusing human waste then I do not see a problem in it. It gives us an opportunity to put our human waste into good use rather then cluttering up landfills. If we do not take steps to help preserve our environment now, we may not have anything left. So, if biosolids help to improve our environment, then… why not?

Blogs i commented on:

1.)  Caitlin Cosgrove: Biosolids
2.) Dora: Love organic! Then love yourself!

References:

1.) "Dictionary." Define: Biosolids. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biosolids
2.) "The Biosolids Life Cycle." Benefits. Division of Wastewater Engineering. 1999. http://www.biosolids.state.va.us/
3.) "Sewage Treatment." Water Treatment. 2009. http://sewagetreatment.us/tertiary-treatment/waste-water-treatment-sewage-treatment/
4.) "United States Environmental Protection Agency." Water: Sewage Sludge (Biosolids). EPA. 13 Aug 2009. http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/wastewater/treatment/biosolids/genqa.cfm
5.) "Northwest Biosolids Management Association." Biosolids Facts. NBMA. http://www.nwbiosolids.org/index.php

It's a Wonderful Life: Thanks to Technology!

Technology is a wonderful advancement in today’s society. We rely on technology for almost every aspect of our life without even knowing it! This also includes the medical industry which plays a major role in protecting the public‘s health. Along with other nations, Canadians have contributed a vast amount of various technologies to the medical industry which has helped us to further develop our understanding of internal body systems.

Insulin Pen

Insulin is a naturally produced hormone created in the pancreas which changes the metabolism rates of sugar (1). People with type 1 diabetes suffer from a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin which stops glucose from entering the cells to produce energy. Without insulin shots a person with type 1 diabetes can become very ill. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin so people suffering from this condition will also need insulin shots. Insulin was the first hormone identified in the 1920’s by Frederick Banting when he tied string around the pancreatic duct of several dogs. When they examined the pancreases of these dogs several weeks later, all of the pancreas digestive cells were and the only thing left was thousands of pancreatic islets. They then isolated the protein from these islets, and they discovered insulin (1). Due to this breakthrough discovery of insulin millions of peoples lives are being saved by taking a simple shot of insulin each year.

An endoscope is a device with both a light and a camera attached at the end of a long tube which is used to look inside of a body cavity or organ (2). In order to look inside the body it is inserted through a natural opening. This procedure is also known as endoscopy which can be used to diagnose bleeding, pain and change in bowel habits of a person. Due to this breakthrough discovery we have been able to produce more endoscopes for different purposes like a bronchoscopy (2). Due to the invention of the endoscope we are given an opportunity to have an inside look at our digestive organs which is something we aren’t able to see without this machine.   
Prior to Richard Deslauriers patenting of the first external noise reducing stethoscope in 1999, there were many different stethoscopes invented (3). Stethoscopes allow doctors to listen to the expansions and contractions of the heart muscle also known as the heartbeat. These contractions and expansion feed blood into the circulatory system and provide an oxygen supply for the entire body. They also allow doctors to listen to and study lung, stomach, and other sounds in both humans and animals (4). Our body is very complex and due to this people suffer from many different diseases. With the use of a stethoscope trained doctors can tell the different sounds of any problems you may be facing if its pneumonia, bronchitis or even a heart murmur (4). With the use of a stethoscope, doctors are able to understand what is going on with both our circulatory and respiratory system.

MRI scanner

Dr. Raymond Damadian wanted to create a medical test that helped physicians treat medical conditions so he created the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). An MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bones and more (5). The images can then be examined on a computer monitor and allow physicians to receive more accurate results then with other imaging methods like an x-ray machine. The MRI machine tests the organs of the chest and abdomen, pelvic area, breasts and blood vessels. It helps diagnose tumors, heart problems, diseases of the liver, fibroids, breast cancer, diseases of the small intestine and more (5). This machine allows us to have a more realistic look of our internal body system via digital images. In some cases it has caught diseases early which has helped to save lives!
These technologies along with many more are crucial to the medical industry because they help to research, diagnose and study the digestive, circulatory and respiratory system. Canadians have also made a huge step in helping to discover our internal body and who knows where we would be without their beneficial discoveries.

Work Cited:
1.) Diabetes: What is Insulin? Norman, James. September, 13, 2010. http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/diabetes/diabetes-what-insulin
2.) Medline plus: Endoscope. Vorvick, Linda. 28 February, 2011 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002360.htm
3.) Absolute Astronomy: Stethoscope. 2011 http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Stethoscope
4.) Healthline: Stethoscope. Hilton, Lisette. 2002. http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/stethoscope
5.) MRI: of the body. March 15, 2010. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodymr

Blogs commented on :
1.) Caitlin Cosgrove: Importance of various technologies
2.) Grace Elkhechen: Proud to be Canadian