4 replies to this topic

[SpiroFlo]

Since my search-fu popped up nothing on biosolids, I'm going to give them the same treatment I gave biofilm (see here: http://www.altenergy...biofilm-thread/) and make a thread on the matter.

(I will admit that I wasn't sure where to put this, as biosolids are often ill-favored, but still are recycling in a sense. )

What's your opinion on biosolids? Any difference to you when it comes to the varying classes (B, A, A EQ) or is it all good/bad? Anyone else work in that industry?

For the uninitiated, here's a quick Biosolids 101: http://spirofloblog....-biosolids-101/

[Germs]

Just read the brief 101 article, really wish i didn't

After a few lines i was pretty much disgusted.

[SpiroFlo]

Yeah, it's not meal time material, that's for sure. Wait, are you telling me the bare-hands-holding-biosolids pics didn't automatically make you think they're safe?

Looks like the article has attracted a couple of anti-biosolids peeps (as noted, despite it being a fairly neutral article [well, I think anyway], like fracking, it's hard to find neutral opinions on the matter). Interesting chat, that's for sure. Got a good fact check or two, also.

[still learning]

SpiroFlo, on 21 November 2011 - 10:19 AM, said:

Yeah.................attracted a couple of anti-biosolids peeps (as noted, despite it being a fairly neutral article [well, I think anyway], like fracking, it's hard to find neutral opinions on the matter).

While maybe biosolids aren't a good dinnertable conversation subject, but I don't understand the extent of the "eew" factor, why the disgust that "Germs" felt reading about it.  Maybe just age has dulled my sensibilities.  Cleaning a few toilets while in uniform,  changing some diapers later and taking those biology courses did the dulling.

Non-neutral opinions: The fellow who responded twice in your biosolids 101 blog...at least one of his objections is bogus, is wrong.  While some of his objections are likely valid, some I don't know about, but one is wrong.  Brings into question all his objections.  Have to check everything he wrote.  

About our local "biosolids"  
"The NSMCSD's treatment process produces approximately 6 tons of dry sludge per day, all of which is recycled. During the rainy season the biosolids are used as daily cover at Redwood Landfill in Novato. During the spring and summer months it is used as a soil amendment for non-edible food crops in Solano County. "

"Non edible food crops?"  What's that mean I wonder?  Non-edible food? Could mean corn for ethanol, but we don't do much of that in California.  Googled, found that Solano County besides ordinary human edible crops and alfalfa and hay it's big in growing some seed crops, sunflower and bean.

So, if you're squeamish, stay away from those sunflower seeds and maybe anything that contains safflower oil.  Never can tell....

[SpiroFlo]

I'm not so squeamish on biosolids either, still learning, but it's one of the industries I work with. Doesn't mean I want to think about poop veggies while I'm eating, mind you.

Hay growth is a big area I've heard about benefiting from biosolids.

Jim Poushinsky is an interesting and opinionated cat (as noted in the comments, there's a whole Ottawa Sun article about him: http://www.ottawasun...641261-sun.html). Which objection do you think is wrong? Feel free to come on over and share in the comments.

I think a big chunk of the biosolids issue is that there is a lot of contradictory research, and while some of it may be corruption and "following the money," some of it really is "Hey, this data says something different." I'd argue that we haven't yet found precisely what does and does not work with biosolids, but there's a lot of things to regret, a lot of things to avoid, and a lot that could still be good. Alas, in this issue. most opinions are set and there's very few areas to agree upon, keeping these viewpoints polarizing.