LETTER – The sham of B.C. government’s Biosolids Review
(File photo)
A few observations on the newly released so-called Science Literature Review on “Biosolids.” As John Werring, of the Suzuki Foundation, perceptively points out, the opening paragraph of this document sets the stage for everything that follows: “Biosolids are treated and stabilized wastewater treatment residuals. In B.C., this material is largely beneficially re-used as a soil amendment in agriculture or other applications, including landscaping and site reclamation.”
This is PR speak – not science! The very concept of its being “beneficial” is what is at stake here – it is not a given!! The bias is palpable throughout this document. It is not by any means an objective look at relevant science dealing with the risks associated with the land disposal of sewer sludge.
When a review puts forth only documents which support a pre-determined outcome, it can only be seen as propaganda. Science and objectivity have gone out the window. This review is nothing more than a cherry-picked summary of articles that supports the government’s and industry’s agenda.
There are many scientists who argue an opposing view to those collected in this booklet – and argue that disposing of a city’s toxic sewage in this manner presents a serious threat to health. Obviously they were not included as they individually and collectively raise all kinds of red flags concerning the practice of land disposal of sewer sludge (See a selection of overlooked peer-reviewed articles here – biosolidsbattleblog.blogspot.ca.)
A few observations on the testing done on “biosolids” in the Nicola Valley. As we had predicted, the contaminants that are really of concern were not even looked at in the government’s “Sampling Project” – superbugs, prions, nanomaterials, microplastics, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, (PBDEs) Flame retardants (PBDEs) etc. One does not have to wonder why – again, it would not support their pre-determined outcomes.
They simply didn’t want to look for toxins they didn’t want to find. This point is key to understanding why this government decided to relegate the First Nations participation in this study to the status of “observers.” The Chiefs wanted input – wanted objective, arm’s length scientists at the table. Alas, the government could not allow that! The Chiefs had no option but to leave this biased project.
A few observations on Minister Polak’s Press statements – She states proudly that they are now raising the safety limits on two contaminants in “biosolids” WOW !! Two out of the tens of thousands of toxins known to be in all “biosolids.” Still – no mention of all those other worrisome contaminants.
She claims that environmentalists around the world are in favour of dispersing sewer sludge on farmland. How then does she explain the fact that The Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, The Rodale Institute, the National Farmers Union, The Suzuki Foundation, and hundreds of other environmental, health, and farm organizations as well as food processing companies, such as Heinz and Del Monte oppose using “biosolids” to grow our food?
DON VINCENT
Merritt
ArmchairMayor.ca 
” The Chiefs wanted input – wanted objective, arm’s length scientists at the table. ”
Well, they certainly didn’t miss anything with Suzuki, and I suspect many MORE of the global-warming, anti-science leftists.
Composting and vermiculture will eliminate almost 100% of any toxins – in the meantime, I suggest all these leftists stop pooping and peeing til they come up with an alternative to biosludge. Because, like it or MOT, its a fact of life.
Tour childish fantasies of Nirvana are NOT realistic, and yet again no alternatives are presented.
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You obviously do not have a science background – “composting” does almost nothing to the toxin load in sewer sludge – superbugs, prions, flame retardants, microplastics, metals – all unaffected by this process …the alternative to land disposal of a city’s toxic burden is Gasification /pyrolysis …it puts energy back into the grid while ridding the environment of the toxins. …a no-brainer.
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The GVRD has a series of videos showing the processes used in the production and testing of their biosolids:
http://www.metrovancouver.org/Search/Pages/videoresults.aspx?k=Biosolids
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Yes quite a PR piece….avoiding all the real issues with this practice ….and repeating the industry cliches….superficial and misleading at best.
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As Dr. Richard Honour, who has been studying the contaminants in so-called “biosolids” says – “Science-based study” is the operative term here, for sure. One key issue is that our expectations of ever seeing an arm’s length science-based study may never be fulfilled, simply because the agencies (all of them) do not hire people with any vestige of a science background. All they know is what they are told by politically-driven forces, public and private, including at so many academic institutions, who share the singular objective of disposing of an endless supply of Toxic Sewage Sludge (TSS) on the lands of any dupes willing to take it. We have to stop taking it!! It is clear that nearly all chronic diseases, including nearly all forms of cancer, are caused by long-term exposure to low levels of environmental contaminants and pollutants, and that means, most especially, TSS. We are learning that cancers are as close as you can get to being transmissible infectious diseases in origin, in that there is a clear microbial factor involved in all tumor systems, and the practice of land disposing of a raft of known carcinogens, such as those that inhabit TSS, is the responsible factor. TSS causes cancer – end of story. – Richard Honour (Precautionary Group – Washington State).
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