3 ms·

I think people would be even more surprised to learn how common it is to use processed sewage for fertilizer. Human waste. In California, 76% of processed sewa

I think people would be even more surprised to learn how common it is to use processed sewage for fertilizer. Human waste. In California, 76% of processed sewage goes to farming. 86% in Colorado. https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/08/07/fertilizer-from-human-waste-faces-scrutiny-but-remains-a-profitable-industry/ https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/08/07/fertilizer-from-hu... And its not just the US https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/02/sewage-sludge-containing-human-waste-uk https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/02/sewage-s... >Spreading the sludge on farmland is banned in the Netherlands, where incineration is preferred, but allowed in the UK. Dutch water authorities are eyeing the UK as a possible destination for their sewage

xolox 2y ago
In some places in the US the use of sewage sludge to fertilize farm land is turning into a shit show of epic proportions (sorry couldn't resist ;-) due to severe PFAS contamination: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/climate/epa-pfas-fertilizer-3m-forever-chemicals.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/climate/epa-pfas-fertiliz... https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/pfas-in-fertilisers-blamed-for-killing-livestock-in-texas-and-wreaking-havoc/4020874.article https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/pfas-in-fertilisers-blam... I have to say I'm kind of happy were not doing this in the Netherlands, because PFAS are a horrible class of chemicals that are causing all sorts of issues in nature as well as human health (obviously the two are intricately linked). I'm kind of ashamed to hear that the Netherlands are trying to get rid of their sewage in the UK though... Edit: Upon reading the investigatemidwest.org article I see that it's about the exact same subject, apologies if my reply is perceived as noise.

3 ms·

I think people would be even more surprised to learn how common it is to use processed sewage for fertilizer. Human waste. In California, 76% of processed sewa

by nonethewiser 2y ago

xolox 2y ago
In some places in the US the use of sewage sludge to fertilize farm land is turning into a shit show of epic proportions (sorry couldn't resist ;-) due to severe PFAS contamination: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/climate/epa-pfas-fertilizer-3m-forever-chemicals.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/climate/epa-pfas-fertiliz... https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/pfas-in-fertilisers-blamed-for-killing-livestock-in-texas-and-wreaking-havoc/4020874.article https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/pfas-in-fertilisers-blam... I have to say I'm kind of happy were not doing this in the Netherlands, because PFAS are a horrible class of chemicals that are causing all sorts of issues in nature as well as human health (obviously the two are intricately linked). I'm kind of ashamed to hear that the Netherlands are trying to get rid of their sewage in the UK though... Edit: Upon reading the investigatemidwest.org article I see that it's about the exact same subject, apologies if my reply is perceived as noise.