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1.
The presence of pollutants (Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc). Domestic
sewage is not expected to have high concentration of these metals. Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) and United States
Environmental Protection Agency(US EPA) have described similar limits. Radiation processing does not alter the concentration
of the heavy metals.
2.
3.
The sewage sludge attractiveness to vectors e.g. rodents, flies, mosquitoes, birds etc. which could transfer pathogens to
other places and human. STP process reduces this factor(2).
On meeting the above criteria, dry sludge can be safely used in agriculture. US EPA and MoUD have described gamma and
electron beam irradiation as one of the effective methods to further reduce bacteria, viruses, protozoan cysts ,helminthes, ova to
below detectable level.
Experience gained at Sludge Hygienisation Research Irradiator (SHRI) Facility at Vadodara has established that sludge can be
applied on land for farmer's benefit. SHRI employs liquid sludge irradiation process (96% water and 4 % solids). Dry sludge
irradiation is more economical, reliable and scalable to large scale sludge hygienisation. Other solid waste can also be
hygienised using the process of dry sludge irradiation. Inoculation of the hygienised sludge with Rhizobium, Azotobacter and
Phosphate solubilizing bacteria showed 100-1000 times higher growth in comparison to growth in unhygienised sludge and
making it a value added bio-fertilizer.
Increased crop yield - direct benefit to the farmers. Improved soil conditions - soil conservation & restoration.
Reduced health risks associated with sludge which reduces potential pressure on the country's health care system.
Reduced demand of water due to higher water holding capacity of the sludge.
The nutrient rich sludge which otherwise is wastefully discarded can be gainfully recycled for economic gain.
Improved overall quality of life.
Thus, such radiation hygienisation facilities can be utilised in other parts of the country also can really contribute in making
India Cleaner, healthier and providing better quality of life to the people of India.
*Dr Lalit Varshney is the Head of Radiation Technology Development Division
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai
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References
1. Manual on sewerage and sewage treatment system, Ministry of Urban Development, Part A, November 2013, New
Delhi ( http://moud.gov.in)
2.
Irradiated sewage sludge for application to cropland, IAEA-TECDOC 1317, International Atomic
Agency( October 2002) page 1-3.
Energy
3. United States Environmental Protection Agency (US,EPA), 40 CFR Part 503, Biosolid Rules.
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