EPA Responds to National Research Council Report on Biosolids

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its response to the National Research Council’s recommendations on land application of biosolids this week and detailed how it will respond to the July 2002 National Academy of Sciences NRC report.

The draft “Agency Response to the National Research Council Report on Biosolids Applied to Land the Results of EPA’s Review of Existing Sewage Sludge Regulations” was signed April 2nd by G. Tracy Mehan, EPA assistant administrator for water. It was published today, April 9th, in the Federal Register and comments will be sought from the biosolids industry, the public, and other stakeholders during the next 90 days.

EPA issued a press release announcing their response to the NRC on April 7th 2003. In the press release Assistant Administrator G. Tracy Mehan said, “Today’s announcement is EPA’s effort to address the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences as well as citizen concerns while maintaining the beneficial uses of biosolids.”

Contained in the agency’s response are the following statements by EPA:

“EPA asked the NRC to conduct an independent evaluation of the regulations and standards for chemical pollutants and pathogens in biosolids that are land-applied. Specifically, the NRC was asked to focus on the adequacy and appropriateness of the risk assessment methods and data used by the Agency is setting regulatory requirements to protect human health.”

“EPA also agreed to review publicly available information for the purpose of identifying additional toxic pollutants in biosolids and to publish a notice providing the results of the review and to seek public comment. Today’s notice fulfills this agreement.”

“The Agency continues to believe that land application of biosolids is an appropriate choice for communities, when conducted in compliance with EPA regulations.”

“At this time, EPA has not identified any additional toxic pollutants that warrant regulation in sewage sludge.”

“The NRC committee concluded that ‘there is no documented scientific evidence to indicate that the Part 503 rule has failed to protect human health,’ but additional scientific work is needed to reduce persistent uncertainty about the potential for adverse human health effects from exposure to biosolids. The committee recognized that land application of biosolids is a widely used, practical option for managing the large volume of biosolids generated at waste water treatment plants that otherwise would need to be disposed of at landfills or by incineration.”

“EPA has identified three main objectives for attaining a better understanding of biosolids and reducing the potential for, or reducing the uncertainty related to, human health impact: (1) update the scientific basis of Part 503 by conducting research in priority areas, (2) strengthen the biosolids program by evaluating results of completed, ongoing, or planned studies both within and outside EPA, and (3) continue ongoing activities for enhancing communication with outside associations and with the public.”

“The NRC concluded that while there are significant data gaps, there is currently no documented scientific evidence that the existing Part 503 regulations have failed to protect public health.”

See pdf Full Response Document - 107KB

See pdf EPA Press Release - 25KB

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