Uncovering the Impact of Biosolid Fertilizers on MCCPs in the Atmosphere
Scientists Identify Potent Atmospheric Toxins for First Time in History
A groundbreaking study, led by the University of Colorado Boulder, has revealed the potential contribution of biosolid fertilizers to the presence of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) in the atmosphere. MCCPs, industrial chemicals used in various applications, have been found to leach into wastewater and subsequently be incorporated into biosolids, which are then used as fertilizers on agricultural fields.
The research team, using chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS), a highly sensitive technique, detected MCCPs drifting in the air above Lamont, Oklahoma. The concentrations of MCCPs detected were thousands of times higher than typical background levels, indicating a significant source of these pollutants.
When these biosolids are applied to the soil, MCCPs can be released into the air, particularly under conditions of temperature fluctuations, such as daytime heating and nighttime cooling. This release mechanism suggests that common agricultural practices involving biosolid fertilizers may inadvertently contribute to air pollution by reintroducing these hazardous chemicals into the environment through the air.
Implications for Health and Environment
The presence of MCCPs in the atmosphere poses several health and environmental concerns.
Health Implications:
- Toxicity and Accumulation: MCCPs are persistent and can accumulate in living organisms over time, similar to PFAS ("forever chemicals"). Though the long-term health effects of MCCPs are not well understood, preliminary studies suggest they can cause liver stress.
- Unknown Long-Term Effects: The health implications of prolonged exposure to MCCPs remain largely unknown, necessitating further research to understand their potential risks to human health.
Environmental Implications:
- Persistence in the Environment: MCCPs are toxic to aquatic life and can persist in the environment for extended periods, potentially disrupting ecosystems.
- Bioaccumulation: These chemicals can bioaccumulate in organisms, leading to potential harm across food chains.
- Air and Soil Pollution: The airborne detection of MCCPs in Oklahoma suggests that these pollutants can travel far from their original source, contributing to both air and soil pollution.
Overall, the identification of MCCPs in the atmosphere highlights the need for further study and regulation to mitigate their environmental and health impacts.
Call for Regulation and Monitoring
The discovery of MCCPs in the Western Hemisphere for the first time has brought the lack of regulation of these chemicals into sharper focus. Policymakers and environmental scientists are increasingly calling for more rigorous monitoring and regulation of toxic chemicals like MCCPs.
Currently, there are no federal air quality standards for MCCPs, and personal exposure monitoring is rare. State lawmakers are reconsidering the regulation of biosolid land application in response to the discovery of MCCPs. The team also intends to sample local soils and biosolid sludge to track the full journey of MCCPs from wastewater treatment plants to farm fields.
The health risks associated with prolonged exposure to MCCPs are still not fully understood, but toxicological studies have shown that chlorinated paraffins can cause liver stress, endocrine disruption, and developmental harm in animals. The Oklahoma discovery has underscored the need for agencies to establish more stringent guidelines and to monitor the spread of these toxic chemicals more carefully.
Daniel Katz, the study's lead author and PhD student in chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder, stated that the discovery is exciting as it was unexpected. The study, published in ACS Environmental Au, marks a significant step forward in understanding the impact of biosolid fertilizers on MCCPs in the atmosphere and the potential risks they pose to public health and the environment.
