Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Biosolids as Agricultural Fertilizer?!?!?!?!

         ARE THEY SERIOUS?         

     Have you ever thought about farmers using biosolids (human waste) from sewage treatment plants to be used as sustainable agricultural fertilizer? Right off the bat, it sounds unsanitary and unthinkable, however, there are farmers that use it and think it's beneficial. Pharmaceuticals, steroids, flame-retardants, metals, hormones and human pathogens, among other things have been found in biosolids. The Environmental Protection Agency found more than 100 toxins in its January 2009 Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey.



     Dr. Alan B. Rubin, a principal author of key E.P.A. biosolids regulations and a staunch biosolids proponent does say that living in proximity to biosolids may be uncomfortable, particularly for “health-sensitive” individuals. “I’m not saying that this causes illnesses like cancer, emphysema or cirrhosis or any other horrible disease,” he said. “But it is causing an impact on the quality of life.”



     Many individuals, especially many farmers, find pros in biosolids. People think of biosolids as nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment facility. They believe that when treated and processed, these substances can be recycled and applied as fertilizer to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth.
     They see a difference between biosolids and sewage slugde. Biosolids are treated sewage sludge. Biosolids are carefully treated and monitored and must be used according to regulatory requirements where they exist.


    
     Particular farmers think that after treatment and processing, biosolids can be recycled and applied as fertilizer to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth. In their opinion, the application of biosolids completes a natural cycle in the environment. By treating sewage sludge, the biosolids can be used as valuable fertilizer, instead of taking up space in a landfill or other disposal facilities. The application of biosolids reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. As more wastewater plants become capable of producing high quality biosolids, some farmers believe that there is an even greater opportunity to make use of this valuable resource.


     The general public are the potential stakeholders in this issue. We are the ones that have to purchase and eat what the farmers grow. They provide us with our food to live. In my opinion, we are very influenced by the western view of human waste as an unsanitary and disgusting nuisance. We can't imagaine biosolids and human waste even going near our foods, however, what we probably don't realize is that biosolids are quite beneficial to sustaining our agriculture. There has not been any sign of significant health risks as a result of using biosolids as fertilizer. The pros outweigh the cons in this situation and generally, biosolids are benefitting our society.


Sources:
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/biosolids-and-human-health/
http://www.cwwa.ca/faqbiosolids_e.asp
http://www.nsfa-fane.ca/question-17-what-are-biosolids-and-can-i-use-them-fertilize-crops-my-land
http://www.ehow.com/list_6564077_fertilizers-used-farming.html
http://www.biosolidsinstitute.com/faqs/page3.shtml

Hyperlinks:

Monday, December 6, 2010

First In Canada to Use Endoscopic Ultrasound Technology

     A gastroenterologist trained at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is now using endoscopic ultrasound technology at York Central Hospital, in Richmond Hill, Ont., to more accurately diagnose lesions found in the GI (Gastrointestinal) tracts of patients.
     The procedure involves, a small ultrasound transducer being installed on the tip of an endoscope. An endoscope is a small, lighted, flexible tube with a camera attached. By inserting the endoscope and camera into the upper or the lower digestive tract, the doctor is able to obtain high-quality ultrasound images of organs. The images obtained with EUS are often more accurate and detailed than images provided by traditional ultrasound.
    

     The technology also enables the physician to see how far cancers have developed, and to determine the best path to recovery for patients. It is said to be an excellent way of identifying cancers and other illnesses – quickly, accurately, and in a non-invasive manner.
     York Central Hospital is one of the first facilities in Canada to employ the technology.  It will most likely become a standard practice across the country as word of its effectiveness spreads.
     The ultrasound device not only creates images of structures on the surface of the GI tract, but also identifies problems in the walls of the stomach, duodenum and intestines. Generally, it can be used to image nearby structures, such as major blood vessels, the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and lymph nodes.
     “Endoscopic ultrasound can tell us what type of lesions we’re dealing with, even if they are submucosal (beneath the surface layer),” said Dr. Nijhawan. He emphasized that endoscopic ultrasound is most useful for patients who have had a regular endoscopy, during which a lesion was found. An EUS can help the specialist determine the nature of the mass without the need for exploratory surgery. In each of these cases, the images will appear differently on the computer screen, which the physician watches as he or she performs the procedure. “It’s a matter of pattern recognition,” noted Dr.
Nijhawan.



     The technology is also extremely useful for cancer staging. For example, in cases of advanced esophageal cancer, removal of a large part of the esophagus could be more traumatic to the patient than foregoing the surgery and allowing the person to live out his remaining days, months or years with the ability to eat and drink relatively normally.
     Dr. Nijhawan predicts that enhancements to EUS technology will appear in the near future, such as narrower catheters, making it easier for the patient to swallow and reducing the risk of tearing the GI tract. As well, he considers developments in the area of fine needle aspirants – the devices that allow physicians to take tissue biopsies while they are conducting the endoscopic ultrasound. It's an efficient and reliable method of determining what’s going on inside the GI tract, and it makes an accurate diagnosis.


Sources

Hyperlinks
http://adorablogs.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-truewe-cant-live-without-technology.html?showComment=1291919190315_AIe9_BFbrc7Ob5syVRrKVLq2McGJ8oTFSe4Y4g2mrEi8uZcyVYluIHg22Jy_NYrMdw5v9_zcEHCfVe_Zm6D6e61rd5S2rYQHJGPCf841B7bJ3Gi2c-ceT-CVaYJ-bN_rDzOmwOgYEewPpPK8LXg0fXSO9kJtale8Mw-49nxwidw-9-hZQQVeZPL_URE3sV3dinJqciQcJdY35D8aAH6v6uW_vYWxj8sUEX1gddiEZtEofR-e_lW15jcGXMkLoP-q04s1fmTD_Nu7nmRqubGpzFtvpUldrDrN0zT5RTrimdpWYIPI3qGE318YQE94PIi-jrR7SKnaxaoXihp14qR1TpA18D0taGRVkmGQ43R2mgjTK5qbq0UbotKoyqGgSfLn8CHbpSdFSFcsfPbsFcck4xq2WED7620RaiizYq4kj5HdYgkPZB9klACS8w1rZ8bIgV7QJi50hMG778IFG4L2b875jAIVjmoZhDk9baBKX0Wr3UamJk9Ml7Hn7BLCVgDPC9DKnTWX_UjagPP4QXVaod0dIcBoDYQQA14rcWxHGj-jHmIStw4cqW14L4anPvpPBwowc824PgyoylPVIDaAvSaaBcfsMVidjbXnsFIqQ9lASpxE0TNUXjyjtUf_UBrR5iOU8IfXUjKD1_baS2eDk-SuntbLxYcVrO6evlD0KawglaEbJwOhTq4#c3913061888992252772


http://waynebioblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-technologies-save-us.html?showComment=1292212097887_AIe9_BFKjI64h0CF42gLQm9KOI4iAXUTYeMFJnpToGPq_ebtufc76PafT_EvNkihUuCIOYaT_MI3YFItAoNbSau4R4V0RipK4r__tZd0cW-vHwJMTZvnHcfGVwVgerdnmDFkbhx_5CUHPOHWzovZaBPm-fFWbirCfuLVg82WnwQtbh4Yah1Bf30Tv5VcwKFQ15Za9mLDzVO7Uqo-SnVhrwJyEZLFIe8liJ50PVnQzFCGDTnzwlrTT8BNqJ9ZxH8aads5AleVibECpxy7tSsnt14WVSAq0R4dKJPDuoEMIRgblVoCdmnLZYUv8Zbw5YqCC-cwzu12Y5ncNwZ3C3e00O-AQJOI2zAeGLUIFWvjWgABuOhudcuY0hdtK7zqrNH1158j35VKavJY6nf_b8-3vUij0OEEkcV-QRoaA0smybN2lqeDTHhdMJPrIcqWPwMgcsmgRlb8Ntg6esCVYEEXptDoPsSWeJQqNxe21CjNcx-0FNcN4k2K2WGDSL2yk4A72NmK7iS-GTOumxF44b0WkG-e3c6SAqi0GtgDdK94yvquDUyFfoA_4WGTe4BEOyS9T3iwsSywy8AFeXBYWBtLzktbQLxa8rMWW40tjuyP4ldWGGJlLxDFymlmBRaAW3zvZ7tX36RDSR9Hh3KVmpb2RnjzV8XmF6lsCv3d_rIp9pCWwPDsT5GwXF2dbZS8GMslLPLf0E9sdWtG#c1445330944622495007