Abstract
Thirty-nine elements, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile N-nitrosamines and gamma emission were determined by several instrumental methods in sewage sludges from 24 communities in Central New York. Relatively high concentrations of certain elements or PCBs were found in sludges from specific communities. For example, antimony and certain rare earth elements used in glass manufacture were found at elevated levels in sludge from Corning, New York. Various volatile N-nitrosamines were found in all of the sludges in trace amounts. Gamma emission levels were relatively low in all sludges. One-third of the sludges would be classified as unsuitable for agricultural land application based on presently suggested federal guidelines for acceptable heavy metal or PCB concentrations in sludges. The question of the application of sludge to agricultural land is discussed.
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Mumma, R.O., Raupach, D.R., Waldman, J.P. et al. Analytical survey of elements and other constituents in Central New York state sewage sludges. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 12, 581–587 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056555
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056555