Organic Contaminants in Chinese Sewage Sludge: A Meta-Analysis of the Literature of the Past 30 Years

Abstract

The production of sewage sludge is increasing in China but with unsafe disposal practices, causing potential risk to human health and the environment. Using literature from the past 30 years (N = 159), we conducted a meta-analysis of organic contaminants (OCs) in Chinese sludge. Most data were available from developed and populated regions, and no data were found for Tibet. Since 1987, 35 classes of chemicals consisting of 749 individual compounds and 1 mixture have been analyzed, in which antibiotics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were the most targeted analytes. For 13 classes of principal OCs (defined as chemicals detected in over five studies) in sludge, the median (expressed in nanograms per gram dry weight) was the highest for phthalate esters (27 900), followed by alkylphenol polyethoxylates (12 000), synthetic musks (5800), antibiotics (4240), PAHs (3490), ultraviolet stabilizers (670), bisphenol analogs (160), organochlorine pesticides (110), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (100), pharmaceuticals (84), hormones (69), perfluorinated compounds (21), and polychlorinated biphenyls (15). Concentrations of PAHs in sludges collected between 1998 and 2012 showed a decreasing trend. Study findings suggest the need for a Chinese national sewage sludge survey to identify and regulate toxic OCs, ideally employing both targeted as well as nontargeted screening approaches.

Importance of Monitor and Control on New-Emerging Pollutants in Conventional Wastewater Treatment Plants

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that the discharge from WWTPs is one of the largest sources for new-emerging organic pollutants to natural environment [1] [3] [9] [10]. Many NEOPs are derived from the public's daily life, such as the highlighted PPCPs, then discharged and entered into the WWTPs directly [8].…”

“…As the social and industrial development, more and more new-emerging organic pollutants (NEOPs), such as the pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), were detected in natural environments [1], and have been enormously documented to be devastating to ecological biodiversity and public health [2] [3] [4] [5]. But the intentions and measures taken to deal with the environmental health problem are weak.…”

An Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor for Nonylphenol Leachate from Instant Noodle Containers in Southeast Asia

“…[1][2][3] They are used as additives and antioxidants in plastics,a nd widely in surfactants, detergents, pesticides, and industrial environments. [4] They also occur as environmental residues,i ncluding in food [5] and food packaging materials, [6] water, [7][8][9] soil, and air. [10] Many studies have reported that long-term exposure to NPNs can affect the normal reproduction and development of organisms.…”

Adsorption of Cu2+ and Pb2+ By Biological Carbon from Mixed Waste

“…The sludge contains not only harmful substances such as heavy metals, pathogenic microorganisms, refractory organic matter, but also a large number of organic matter that can be used. If it is used effectively, it will produce very considerable economic and social benefits [1][2]. At present, the main problems to be solved in sludge treatment are sludge reduction, stabilization, harmless and resource treatment, and pyrolysis is one of the effective ways to solve this problem.…”