Health risk associated with land application of municipal sludge.

Abstract

The potential for human health problems associated with land disposal of municipal sludge is reviewed. Migration of heavy metals from the sludge through soil into drinking water supplies and into the human food chain is surveyed. Health effects and bioaccumulation of cadmium are examined. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites associated with municipal sludge applied to agricultural lands present potential problems of plant surface contamination. The adherence of pesticide residues present in the sludge to plant surfaces also poses a hazard. (1 graph, 55 references, 4 tables)