Lecture by Sébastien Sauvé, professor in environmental chemistry at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of the Université de Montréal, followed by a discussion with Mohamed Rhouma, professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal.
E n ligne - on registration
Background:
Biosolids (or "human manure") are sewage sludge leaving wastewater treatment plants. It contains elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, metals and several emerging contaminants. Their volume is immense and their fertilizer value very valuable, especially in these tense geopolitical times when we don't want to depend on imported chemical fertilizers and when the increasing cost of these fertilizers greatly affects the profitability of our agricultural producers who are already under multiple pressures. Biosolids therefore potentially offer a green alternative to chemical fertilizers.
Recent reports on Radio-Canada's La Semaine verte and Enquête have highlighted that some biosolids that appear to be imported from the United States are contaminated with PFAS, also known as Forever Chemicals. These PFAS are ubiquitous and traces of them are found everywhere. However, it is necessary to understand that the more worrisome results on PFAS concentrations are for only two biosolids samples of unconfirmed origin and that many preliminary results for biosolids from Quebec municipalities are very low, comparable or lower than the background levels observed in farm manures or composts commercially available in garden centers.
Objectives :
This event aims at clarifying the data and issues concerning the contamination of biosolids with PFAS in Quebec. It is intended for the agricultural sector and other professionals interested or concerned by this contamination.
Proceedings (12:00 to 1:00 p.m.):
Conference on PFAS in biosolids - Sébastien Sauvé (30 min)
Open discussion with Mohammed Rhouma and the audience (30 min)
This event is supported by the Building a Sustainable Future Innovation Lab and the One Health Initiative of the Université de Montréal
