Health Risks of Organics in Land Application

The potential health problems associated with the presence of persistent organic chemicals in wastewater and sludge, when applied to agricultural lands, are reviewed. The topics considered include: the type and amounts of organic chemicals present in wastewater and sludge, their fate on land, potential health effects on workers and other exposed populations, and effects on the quality of ground and surface waters and on the food chain. Because information on the effects of chronic exposures is scarce, several examples are given from cases of acute exposure, usually to wastewater treatment plant workers. There is insufficient information available to assess the long-term health risks of exposure to organics in wastewater treatment plants or at land application sites. Further research is recommended on the uptake of organic chemicals by food crops. Long-term follow-up is recommended for populations who have had acute short-term exposure to organic chemicals from waste materials.