PhD student receives Water Environment Research Foundation grant

Paul Rosile, a PhD student in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, was awarded a contract with the Water Environment Research Foundation for $392,635 in January 2009 to collect data on the effects of biosolids on human health.

In the United States, more than 7 million tons of biosolids, and other soil amendments such as animal manure, food residuals and compost, are produced each year and applied to farm fields to enrich the soil. And, often, those who live nearby these farms complain of illness.

In 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency determined it was necessary to devise a method to track these health complaints. In 2007, the Water Environment Research Foundation devised an investigation protocol but didn't fully field-test it.

Rosile's research will field test the protocol and revise it if necessary. His research team includes Song Liang, assistant professor in EHS, Tim Buckley, associate professor and chair of EHS, and Jay Wilkins, professor in the Division of Epidemiology.

The study, which began in December and continues through July 2010, involves investigating at least 50 complaints of health effects made by individuals who live near farm fields where land application has taken place. The team also will develop an outreach and communication plan with the National Association of City and County Health Officials, and analyze the survey data and suggest methods for future research.

"The data collected from our research will further our understanding of the potential for an association between land-applied biosolids and health, and lead to further study," Rosile said.