PDA

View Full Version : Can you believe this is happening in the 21st. century?


PLC1
04-15-2008, 11:07 AM
Sludge tested in poor neighborhoods as lead-poisoning fix

BALTIMORE – Scientists using federal grants spread fertilizer made from human and industrial wastes on yards in poor, black neighborhoods to test whether it might protect children from lead poisoning in the soil. Families were assured the sludge was safe and were never told about any harmful ingredients.
Nine low-income families in Baltimore row houses agreed to let researchers till the sewage sludge into their yards and plant new grass. In exchange, they were given food coupons as well as the free lawns as part of a study published in 2005 and funded by the Housing and Urban Development Department.

Do they really need to test their ideas on human gunea pigs?

Can you imagine going to the suburbs with such an experiment?:eek:

r0beph
04-21-2008, 08:35 PM
Do they really need to test their ideas on human gunea pigs?

Can you imagine going to the suburbs with such an experiment?:eek:

no they really shouldn't but this is less a test on harmful effects, but rather a test on whether it provides a benefit or not. Cow poo isn't any worse than human poo really... I mean we use that in farms everywhere... It just sounds gross.

PLC1
04-22-2008, 07:32 AM
no they really shouldn't but this is less a test on harmful effects, but rather a test on whether it provides a benefit or not. Cow poo isn't any worse than human poo really... I mean we use that in farms everywhere... It just sounds gross.

It isn't cow poo that they're using, but sewer sludge. There could be any number of harmful chemicals in it that the experimenters don't know about.

9sublime
04-22-2008, 07:44 AM
While I do disagree with this you have to bear in mind these people did agree to have this sewer sludge on their lawns - if they cant work out sewage sludge might be harmful then they're morons.

But then again, have any harmful effects come from this or were the scientists right?

PLC1
04-22-2008, 08:04 AM
While I do disagree with this you have to bear in mind these people did agree to have this sewer sludge on their lawns - if they cant work out sewage sludge might be harmful then they're morons.

But then again, have any harmful effects come from this or were the scientists right?

None are known at this time. It is possible that the lab rats will suffer no ill effects at all.