TRACE ELEMENT CONTENT OF BIOSOLIDS

WHY WOULD VDH CLAIM TOXIC POLLUTANTS ARE ONLY TRACE ELEMENTS?

12 VAC 5-585-10
"Toxic pollutant" means any agent or material including, but not limited to, those listed under Section 307(a)
of the Clean Water Act which after discharge will, on the basis of available information, cause toxicity.

"Toxicity" means the inherent potential or capacity of a material to cause adverse effects in a living
organism, including acute or chronic effects to aquatic life, detrimental effects on human health or other
adverse environmental effects.

12 VAC 5-585-550
C. Municipal biosolids can contain synthetic organic chemicals from industrial wastewater contributions and
disposal of household chemicals and pesticides.

EPA has identified most of these "trace elements" as cancer causing agents

12 VAC 5-585-610.



TABLE 8

A. RECOMMENDED CEILING LIMITS FOR THE TRACE ELEMENT CONTENT OF BIOSOLIDS ACCEPTABLE FOR LAND
APPLICATION


TRACE ELEMENT                                               CONCENTRATION IN MILLIGRAMS PER KILOGRAMS (DRY WEIGHT)

Arsenic                                                                  75
Cadmium                                                               85
Copper                                                                   4300
Lead                                                                      840
Mercury                                                                  57
Molybdenum                                                          75
Nickel                                                                      420
Selenium                                                                100
Zinc                                                                        7500                                                                      


B. MAXIMUM MONTHLY AVERAGE TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS FOR APPLICATION OF EXCEPTIONAL
QUALITY BIOSOLIDS TO LAWNS OR HOME GARDENS IN RESIDENTIAL LOCATIONS



TRACE ELEMENT                                          CONCENTRATION IN MILLIGRAMS PER KILOGRAMS (DRY WEIGHT)

Arsenic (1)                                                      41
Cadmium                                                         39
Copper                                                          1500
Lead                                                              300
Mercury                                                          17
Molybdenum (1)                                             
Nickel                                                              420
Selenium                                                        100
Zinc                                                                2800

Note: (1) The monthly average concentration is currently under study by USEPA.

TABLE 9

MAXIMUM CUMULATIVE APPLICATION OF BIOSOLIDS TRACE ELEMENTS THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO SOILS USED
FOR CROP PRODUCTION(1)


TRACE ELEMENT                  Kg/ha                  (lbs/AC)

Arsenic (2)                              41                          (36)
Cadmium                                 39                          (35)
Copper                                   1,500                  (1,340)
Lead                                         300                      (270)
Mercury                                  17                          (16)
Molybdenum (2)
Nickel                                      420                       (375)
Selenium                                100                        (89)
Zinc                                        2,800                  (2,500)



TABLE 13

A. ORGANIC CHEMICAL TESTING THAT MAY BE REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY AN EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY BIOSOLIDS

Organic Chemicals

Aldrin/dieldrin (total)

Benzo (a) pyrene

Chlordane

DDT/DDE/DDD (total) (1)

Dimethyl nitrosamine

Heptachlor

Hexachlorobenzene

Hexachlorobutadiene

Lindane

Polychlorinated biphenols

Toxaphene

Trichloroethylene

Note: (1)DDT 2,2 - Bis (chlorophenyl) - 1,1,1 - Trichloroethane

DDE 1,1 - Bis (chlorophenyl) - 2,2 - Dichloroethane

DDD 1,1 - Bis (chlorophenyl) - 2,2 - Dichloroethane