Sewage sludge compost.

In Austria, part of the sewage sludge is processed into sewage sludge compost in composting plants. Part of this is applied to agricultural land. Circular economy and pollutant reduction are among the priorities of the European Union. Therefore, it is important that the recovery and use of sewage sludge does not result in any contamination on soil, air and water. Sewage sludge composts and soil sites were investigated for pollutants. A total of 570 parameters were analysed, including microplastics. The focus was on persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disrupting substances. More than 200 parameters and a transfer of pollutants and microplastics to the soil were detected.