Re: [Fwd: EPA biosolids report] HUMAN AND ANIMAL PRIONS IN BOTH CLASS A AND CLASS B SEWAGE SLUDGE Date: 5/23/2005 5:10:15 PM Central Daylight Time From: [email protected]
The only problem with this new EPA research on prions in sewage sludge biosolids is that it fails to consider HUMAN as well as animal prions in BOTH CLASS A and CLASS B sewage sludge . . . . . Class A sewage sludge biosolids compost/"fertilizer" (such as "Milorganite") which may contain both infectious human and animal prions is sold by the bag to an unsuspecting public at WalMart, Home Depot, nurseries, hardware stores, etc. it is spread on ballfields, playgrounds, and homeowners are encouraged to spread it on their lawns and in their flower and vegetable gardens . . . . kids eat dirt -- and "pica" kids eat LOTS of dirt ! And obviously, topdressing prion infected Class B sewage sludge on grazing lands and dairy pastures puts both livestock and cervids at risk of ingesting infectious prions . . . . . . .
Also, if anyone wants it, I can share by computer my 30+ page word/doc file on animal prions in both Class A and Class B sewage sludge biosolids. Prions may be discharged to public sewers via landfill leachate, abattoirs, taxidermy shops, vet labs and facilities, etc. Two Risk Assessments (Wisconsin and Stanfield & Gale) have found that the wastewater treatment process reconcentrates the hydrophobic prions in the sewage sludge. No existing sludge pathogen reduction method inactivates the prions. Prions can survive in soil for 3 to 6 years. It is well known that grazing livestock can ingest up to one kilogram of soil (and sludge) per day. Thus the prions in both Class A and Class B sewage sludge may be infectious and put humans, livestock,cervids and possibly other species, at risk. Researchers have said as little as one-half a gram can be infectious.
Because the USDA and cattle and beef industry are terrified of the economic losses should any USA cattle be diagnosed with BSE, (remember Oprah ? ) very little testing is being done in USA and whistleblowers claim test results are being covered up . . . (Friedlander - http://sask.cbc. ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=mad-cow-allegations050411 Allegation of U.S. mad cow coverup stirs up debate Last Updated Apr 11 2005 11:48 AM CDT
CBC News SASKATOON - An allegation of a U.S. coverup of mad cow cases south of the border has been generating debate and disbelief in Canada. )
However, In Japan, where all animals over 30 months are tested, they have recently uncovered their 18th and 19th cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
From Water & Wastewater Products E-News, 6-4-04. Researchers To Study Fate Of Prions In Wastewater. With funding from EPA, a group of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers will investigate what happens if infectious prion proteins -- considered the cause of chronic wasting disease and mad cow disease -- enter wastewater treatment plants.