Progress 07/15/05 to 07/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This report reflects the work supported under grant 2005-06223 during its final year of operation, however, the majority of work was conducted in its first year. Two other grants were running concurrently with this one, 2006-06255, in its third year, and 2008-03263, in its first year. GIS Database: The Geographic Information System (GIS) for this project was developed and includes layers of parcels, roads, waterways, schools, soils, and biosolids permitted fields. The GIS for Lucas and Wood Counties were completed initially. GIS databases for Greene, Portage, Mahoning, Trumbull and Medina were then developed by OhioView consortium universities to assist with the spread of the project to other areas of Ohio. Epidemiological Study: An epidemiological study was developed and conducted in Wood County to investigate the potential impact between symptoms, acute and chronic diseases among groups of individuals living specified distances from fields where biosolids were permitted. Findings suggest residents living near biosolids permitted fields may be at an increased risk for certain respiratory, gastrointestinal, and other diseases. Pharmaceutical Personal Care Products: Very sensitive methods were developed for detection of 42 pharmaceutical compounds in the environment, using a Varian 1200 liquid chromatograph with dual mass selective detectors in tandem. Verification and optimization of the instrumental parameters was achieved using purchased standards. Heavy Metals: Soils were collected from many locations at three depths in a sludge amended field and a nearby control field. Samples were collected pre-application; post-application; post-rain and pre-till; post-till and pre- additional rain. Analysis of more than 3,000 soil samples was completed for heavy metals. Bioaerosols: We tested a technique to detect Staphylococcus aureus in biosolids called the most probable number (MPN). Our results showed that the MPN method could accurately detect as few as three spiked S. aureus cells ml-1 sterile biosolids (expressed as an MPN of 0.78, CI 22 - 220) and 115 S. aureus ml-1 non-sterile biosolids (expressed as 270, CI 99 - 700). Although further dilutions of S. aureus were not spiked into non-autoclaved biosolids, it is likely that the sensitivity of detection is at least one more order of magnitude lower (to 101 cells ml-1). Remote Sensing: We measured corn plant parts and 0.4-2.5 micrometer spectra of those parts for two adjacent City of Bowling Green fields, one that had never received sewage sludge and one that had received a lot of Class B sewage sludge in the last 5 years. The plants showed a few statistically significant increases of heavy metals on the sludge-permitted field. Human Pathogens in Runoff: Drainage water from biosolids amended fields was monitored for densities of the indicator bacterium, Escherichia coli. Although land-applied biosolids did not significantly increase the E. coli density in receiving waters, heavy rainfall events induced high densities of E. coli in tile drains from fields receiving Class B biosolids. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (Faculty): Kevin Czajkowski - PI - GIS - Dept. of Geography and Planning (GEPL), University of Toledo; Michael Bisesi, Sheryl Milz, Sadik Khuder, Farhang Akbar and Brian Fink - epidemiological study and aerosols - Department of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, University of Toledo; Alison Spongberg, Daryl Dwyer, Von Sigler, pathogens and pharmaceuticals, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo. Robert Vincent, Sridhar Balaji - GIS, remote sensing, Bowling Green State University. Participants (Staff): Teresa Benko, Matthew Gottfried, Timothy Ault - Department of Geography & Planning, University of Toledo; Jason Witter, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo Participants (Graduate Students): Chenxi Wu -Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo; Jennifer Rader - Dept. of Geography & Planning, University of Toledo; Pam Stuffolino, Jona Scarbro - Lake Erie Center and Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo. Christopher R. Tanner, Department of Geology, BGSU; Ghanashyam Neupane, Department of Geology, BGSU. Advisory Committee: Frank Gibbs - USDA - Hancock County - Agricultural Dept.; Lou Glatzer - Professor Emeritus - Dept. of Environmental Sciences at UT; Ellen Harrison - former Director of Cornell Waste Management Institute; Troy Hertzfeld - Owner/Operator of a local chicken farm; Sheridan Kidd Haack - USGS - Lansing, Michigan; Lynda McCarthy - Ryerson U. - Ontario; Jack Ritchie - Superintendent - local recycling plastics firm; Alan Rubin - Retiree of US EPA; Jim Smith - US EPA - National Risk Management Research Laboratory - Cincinnati, OH. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audience is the biosolids research community, wastewater treatment plant workers, local officials and then the public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Overall, data evaluation from the field experiments was completed and resulted in the drafting and submission of technical articles and abstracts. The geographic information system (GIS) generated interest as a tool with potential for use by other researchers or entities. It was used in conjunction with epidemiology to determine distances to agricultural and biosolids permitted and applied fields as well as being instrumental in address-list generation for potential survey respondents. The project has reached out to community members with interests in biosolids, including waste water treatment plant workers, biosolids applicators, and farmers, among others. Informational meetings were held in an attempt to allow people in community and beyond to understand the research performed, disseminate results, and collaborate.
Publications
- Wu, C., Spongberg, A.L., and J.D. Witter. Multi-residue analysis of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in aqueous environmental samples using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sigma Xi Research Symposium, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, Sept 15, 2007.
- Khuder S, Milz SA, Bisesi M, Vincent R, McNulty W, and Czajkowski K. 2007. Health survey of residents living near farm fields permitted to receive biosolids. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health 62(1):5-11.
- Sridhar, B.B.M., Vincent, R.K., Witter, J.D. and A.L. Spongberg. 2009. Mapping the total phosphorus concentration of surface soils using LANDSAT TM remote sensing imagery. Science of the Total Environment 407: 2894-2899.
- Spongberg, A.L. and J.D. Witter. 2008. Pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater treatment plant process from Northwest Ohio. Science of the Total Environment, 397: 148-157.
- Wu, C., Spongberg, A.L., and J. D. Witter. 2008. Determination of the persistence of pharmaceuticals in biosolids using liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Chemosphere, 73: 511-518.
- C.R. Tanner. 2006. Vertical Profile of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Soil From an Agricultural Field with and Without Applied Sewage Sludge in Bowling Green, Wood County, Ohio. MS Geology, Bowling Green State University.
- G. Neupane. 2006. at BGSU entitled Quantitative Comparison of Heavy Metals and Metaloids in Agricultural and Forest Soils in Bowling Green, Ohio. MS Geology, Bowling Green State University.
- J. Rader, 2008. An Evaluation of the Change in Metal Concentrations at an Agricultural Field Land Applied With Class B Sewage Sludge in Northwest Ohio, MA Geography, The University of Toledo.
- Wu,C., Spongberg, A.L., and J.D. Witter. Determination of the Persistence of Pharmaceuticals in Biosolids Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Ohio Academy of Sciences 117th Annual Meeting. The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, April 11-13th, 2008.
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Progress 07/15/07 to 07/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This report reflects the work supported under this grant during its third year of operation. It must be noted that one other grant was running concurrently with this one, 2006-06255, in its second year. The majority of work conducted on this grant, 2005-06223 was conducted during its first year. Soils Analysis for Heavy Metals: During this reporting period we finished analyzing all samples for heavy metals, more than 3,000 in total to date. Bioaerosols: Under this grant, we focused on testing a technique to detect Staphylococcus aureus in biosolids called the most probable number (MPN). Our results showed that the MPN method could accurately detect as few as three spiked S. aureus cells ml-1 sterile biosolids (expressed as an MPN of 0.78, CI 22 - 220) and 115 S. aureus ml-1 non-sterile biosolids (expressed as 270, CI 99 - 700). Although further dilutions of S. aureus were not spiked into non-autoclaved biosolids, it is likely that the sensitivity of detection is at least one more order of magnitude lower (to 101 cells ml-1). Significant effort was put into collaboration with the U.S. EPA National Risk Management Research (NRMRL) Lab in Cincinnati, OH to perform bioaerosol sampling and analysis. An extensive Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) was developed between the two groups. To date, collaborative field work between the groups has not occurred. Finally, we started development of a dispersion and risk assessment model for bio-aerosol emissions based on the USEPA's AERMOD model. GIS Database: The Geographic Information System (GIS) for this project is being expanded. Information layers for Lucas and Wood Counties is finished except for a few minor additions. Addresses and the distances from biosolids permitted fields were created for Lucas County's epidemiological survey. Lastly, GIS databases for Greene, Portage, Mahoning, Trumbull and Medina are being developed by OhioView consortium universities to assist with the spread of the project to other areas of Ohio. Each county presented a unique challenge as no county has the same types of data readily available. Pharmaceutical Personal Care Products: We developed very sensitive methods for detection of 42 pharmaceutical compounds in the environment. We are using a Varian 1200 liquid chromatograph with dual mass selective detectors in tandem. Remote Sensing We measured corn plant parts and 0.4-2.5 micrometer spectra of those parts for two adjacent City of Bowling Green fields, one that had never received sewage sludge and one that had received a lot of Class B sewage sludge in the last 5 years. The plants showed a few statistically significant increases of heavy metals on the sludge-permitted field. Epidemiological Study: Analysis of the epidemiological study conducted in Wood County was completed and a paper was released in the Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health in early 2008. PARTICIPANTS: Faculty: Kevin Czajkowski - PI - GIS - Dept. of Geography and Planning (GEPL), U. of Toledo; Michael Bisesi, Sheryl Milz, Sadik Khuder, Farhang Akbar and Brian Fink -epidemiological study and bioaersols -Dept. of Public Health and Homeland Security, U. of Toledo; Alison Spongberg, Daryl Dwyer, Von Sigler, and- pathogens and pharmaceuticals, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, U. of Toledo; Robert Vincent, Sridhar Balaji - GIS, remote sensing, Bowling Green State U; Staff: Jason Witter, research technician; Graduate Students: C Wu -Dept. of Environmental Sciences, U. of Toledo; J Rader - Dept. of Geography & Planning; Advisory Committee: Frank Gibbs - USDA - Hancock County - Agricultural Dept.; Lou Glatzer - Professor Emeritus - Dept. of Environmental Sciences at UT; Ellen Harrison - former Director of Cornell Waste Management Institute; Troy Hertzfeld - Owner/Operator of a local chicken farm; Sheridan Kidd Haack - USGS - Lansing, Michigan; Lynda McCarthy - Ryerson U. - Ontario; Jack Ritchie - Superintendent - local recycling plastics firm; Alan Rubin - Retiree of US EPA TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audience is the biosolids research community, wastewater treatment plant works, local officials and then the public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Data evaluation from the field experiments has been completed and has resulted in the drafting and submission of technical articles and abstracts. The Pharmaceutical Personal Care Products portion of the project published two papers in Chemosphere and Science of the Total Environment. A paper was released in early in the Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health in early 2008 on the Wood County Health Survey.
Publications
- Maruthi Sridhar, B.B., Vincent, R.K., Witter, J.D., and Spogberg, A.J. (2008) Mapping the Total Phosphorus Concentration of Surface Soils Using LANDSAT TM Remote Sensing Imagery, Science of the Total Environment (In Review).
- Spongberg, A.L. and J.D. Witter. 2008. Pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater treatment plant process from Northwest Ohio. Science of the Total Environment, 397: 148-157.
- Wu, C., Spongberg, A.L., and J. D. Witter. 2008. Determination of the persistence of pharmaceuticals in biosolids using liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Chemosphere, 73: 511-518.
- J. Rader. 2008 An Evaluation of the Change in Metal Concentrations at an Agricultural Field Land Applied With Class B Sewage Sludge in Northwest Ohio, MA Geography, The University of Toledo.
- Wu,C., Spongberg, A.L., and J.D. Witter. Determination of the Persistence of Pharmaceuticals in Biosolids Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Ohio Academy of Sciences 117th Annual Meeting. The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, April 11-13th, 2008.
- Wu, C., Spongberg, A.L., and J.D. Witter. Multi-residue analysis of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in aqueous environmental samples using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sigma Xi Research Symposium, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, Sept 15, 2007.
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Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This report reflects the work supported under this grant during its second year of operation. It must be noted that two other grants were running concurrently with this one, 2004-06227 that was in its final year and 2006-06255 that was in its first year. The majority of work conducted on this grant, 2005-06223 was conducted during its first year. Soils Analysis for Heavy Metals During this reporting period we finished analyzing all samples for heavy metals, more than 3,000 in total to date. We submitted a paper that is now in review with the Journal of Contaminated Sediments entitled: Phyto-mobilization of heavy metals at the Fostoria WWTP. Bioaerosols Under this grant, we focused on testing a technique to detect Staphylococcus aureus in biosolids called the most probable number (MPN). Our results showed that the MPN method could accurately detect as few as three spiked S. aureus cells ml-1 sterile biosolids (expressed as an MPN of 0.78, CI 22 - 220) and 115 S. aureus ml-1
non-sterile biosolids (expressed as 270, CI 99 - 700). Although further dilutions of S. aureus were not spiked into non-autoclaved biosolids, it is likely that the sensitivity of detection is at least one more order of magnitude lower (to 101 cells ml-1). Significant effort was put into collaboration with the U.S. EPA National Risk Management Research (NRMRL) Lab in Cincinnati, OH to perform bioaerosol sampling and analysis. An extensive Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) was developed between the two groups. To date, collaborative field work between the groups has not occurred. Finally, we started development of a dispersion and risk assessment model for bio-aerosol emissions based on the USEPA's AERMOD model. GIS Database The Geographic Information System (GIS) for this project is being expanded. Information layers for Lucas and Wood Counties is finished except for a few minor additions. Addresses and the distances from biosolids permitted fields were created for Lucas County's
epidemiological survey. Lastly, GIS databases for Greene, Portage, Mahoning, Trumbull and Medina are being developed by OhioView consortium universities to assist with the spread of the project to other areas of Ohio. Each county presented a unique challenge as no county has the same types of data readily available. Pharmaceutical Personal Care Products We developed very sensitive methods for detection of 42 pharmaceutical compounds in the environment. We are using a Varian 1200 liquid chromatograph with dual mass selective detectors in tandem. Remote Sensing We measured corn plant parts and 0.4-2.5 micrometer spectra of those parts for two adjacent City of Bowling Green fields, one that had never received sewage sludge and one that had received a lot of Class B sewage sludge in the last 5 years. The plants showed a few statistically significant increases of heavy metals on the sludge-permitted field. Epidemiological Study Analysis of the epidemiological study conducted in Wood County
was completed and a paper was submitted for publication. Two revisions of the paper were done and the paper was accepted in the Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health.
PARTICIPANTS: The participants here reflect the researchers supported in the 2006-2007 year (year 2) of this project. Faculty Kevin Czajkowski - PI - GIS - Dept. of Geography and Planning (GEPL), U. of Toledo Michael Bisesi, Sheryl Milz, Sadik Kumar, Farhang Ackbar and Brian Fink - epidemiological study and bioaersols -Dept. of Public Health and Homeland Security, U. of Toledo Daryl Dwyer, Von Sigler, and Alison Spongberg - pathogens and pharmaceuticals, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, U. of Toledo. Robert Vincent - GIS, remote sensing, co-investigator, Bowling Green State U. Staff Teresa Benko - Project Manager, Matthew Gottfried - Data Manager, Timothy Ault - GIS specialist - GEPL, U. of Toledo Graduate Students Pam Stuffolino and Jona Scarbro - Lake Erie Center and Dept. of Environmental Sciences, U. of Toledo Our Advisory Board Members are as follows: Frank Gibbs - USDA - Hancock County - Agricultural Dept. Lou Glatzer - Professor Emeritus - Dept. of Earth, Ecological &
Environmental Sciences at UT Troy Hertzfeld - Owner/Operator of a local chicken farm Sheridan Kidd Haack - USGS - Lansing, Michigan Lynda McCarthy - Ryerson U. - Ontario Jack Ritchie - Superintendent - local recycling plastics firm Alan Rubin - Recent Retiree of US EPA Jim Smith - US EPA - National Risk Management Research Laboratory - Cincinnati, OH Target Audience Our target audience are the biosolids research community, wastewate treatment plant works, local officials and then the public. We have been very careful in what we release to the public.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audience are the biosolids research community, wastewate treatment plant works, local officials and then the public. We have been very careful in what we release to the public.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: There were no major changes to the project.
Impacts
We anticipate that the publication of the papers from this grant may generate significant discussion among researchers at research institutions working on sewage sludge research.
Publications
- Accepted: Khuder, S., S. Milz, M. Bisesi, K. Czajkowski, R. Vincent, and W. McNulty, 2007, Health Survey of Residents Living Near Biosolids Permitted Farm Fields, Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health.
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Progress 07/15/05 to 07/14/06
Outputs
Human Pathogens in Runoff Drainage water from biosolids amended fields was monitored for densities of the indicator bacterium, Escherichia coli. Increases in densities of E. coli were observed in the drainage water following rain events. (1) Additional fields are being monitored, (2) The influences of application time and practice and of weather patterns are being followed, and (3) The total load of E. coli in the drainage water from the agricultural fields is being determined. Our next step is to perform molecular fingerprinting (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) analysis to confirm that the E. coli are from biosolids sources. Bioaerosol Data Collection An important issue at the forefront of the biosolids industry is the potential presence of the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus in biosolids. We completed research to develop a sensitive and accurate method of detecting Staphylococcus aureus in biosolids called the most probable number (MPN)
procedure. Several treatments were performed to test the MPN procedure for the quantification/recovery of S. aureus from biosolids. We have also teamed with the EPA National Risk Management Research Lab in Cincinnati, OH to perform bioaerosol sampling and analysis. Furthermore, we have studied the possible design of a portable wind tunnel to test the bioaerosol detection equipment. GIS Database The Geographic Information System (GIS) for this project is being expanded. Information layers about Lucas and Wood Counties is finished except for a few minor additions. Addresses and the distances from biosolids permitted fields is being created for Lucas County so that our epidemiological survey can be sent out. Lastly, GIS databases for Greene, Portage, Mahoning, Trumbull and Medina are being created by OhioView consortium schools so that future epidemiological studies can be performed. A training session was held at the University of Toledo in February 2006 to establish a common approach
for building the GIS databases. Pharmaceutical Personal Care Products Also during the last year we have perfected the analytical protocol for pharmaceutical drug compounds using solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography with tandem mass selective detectors. We have so far identified and/or quantified 34 different compounds in the waste water influent and effluent and sewage sludge obtained from the Oregon Treatment Plant. Verification and optimization of the instrumental parameters was achieved using purchased standards. Epidemiological Study An epidemiological survey was conducted in Wood County Ohio. The survey focused on self-reporting from residents living in households located at various distances from agricultural sites amended with Class B biosolids from known waste water treatment facilities. The main objective was to evaluate the potential health effects of living in close proximity to these fields. A health survey was conducted on 421 individuals living within one
mile from the fields and 176 controls living more than mile from the fields. The questionnaire included questions about prevalent diseases and symptoms or diseases experienced over the past year.
Impacts
Our project will potentially have an impact on the way in which sewage sludge is applied to agricultural fields. We developed the Most Probable Number (MPN) to detect Staph a. in bioaerosols but have found that recovery rate is very small for biosolids. Therefore, it is not likely that Staph a. will be detected in bioaerosols even if they are present. We have found E. coli in tile drains leaving agricultural fields that have had biosolids applied and are planning to use DGGE fingerprinting to confirm whether the E. coli are from the biosolids or from some other source. We are also to the point where we can detect personal care products such as pharmaceuticals in the biosolids. Finally, our epidemiological study found higher incidence rates for illnesses and symptoms for people living close to biosolids permitted fields. Results suggest that some symptoms are significantly elevated among residents living in close proximity to these fields, including excessive secretion
of tears, abdominal bloating, jaundice, ulcers on the skin, dehydration, weight loss and general weakness. Incidence of bronchitis, upper respiratory infection, and Giardiasis were also significantly elevated. Cases of ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and scleroderma were reported in close proximity to the fields. The elevated symptoms and diseases may be related to infectious agents and/or chemicals from the agricultural fields. However, it is premature to make definitive conclusions due to various confounding variables.
Publications
- M.S. thesis, Christopher R. Tanner, 2006, Vertical Profile of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Soil From an Agricultural Field with and Without Applied Sewage Sludge in Bowling Green, Wood County, Ohio, and it can be downloaded from http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?acc_num=bgsu1151014530 .
- M.S. thesis, Ghanashyam Neupane , 2006, at BGSU entitled Quantitative Comparison of Heavy Metals and Metaloids in Agricultural and Forest Soils in Bowling Green, Ohio, http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?acc_num=bgsu1147699490 .
- Journal articles in preparation Sadik Khuder, Shery Milz, Michael Bisesi, Kevin Czajkowski, Bob Vincent, 2006, Health Survey of Residents Living Near Biosolids Applied Farm Fields
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