Investigation of pathogenic Escherichia coli and microbial pathogens in pulp and paper mill biosolids

Water Environ Res. 2007 Sep;79(9):1050-6. doi: 10.2175/106143007x184140.

Abstract

Biosolids produced from pulp and paper mill wastewater treatment have excellent properties as soil conditioners, but often contain high levels of Escherichia coli. E. coli are commonly used as indicators of fecal contamination and health hazard; therefore, their presence in biosolids causes concern and has lead to restrictions in land-spreading. The objectives of this study were to determine the following: (1) if E. coli from the biosolids of a wastewater-free pulp and paper mill were enteric pathogens, and (2) if other waterborne microbial pathogens were present. E. coli were screened for heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxin and verocytotoxin virulence genes using a polymerase chain reaction. Ten isolates were also screened for invasion-associated locus and invasion plasmid antigen H genes. None of the 120 isolates carried these genes. Tests for seven other microbial pathogens were negative. Effluents and biosolids from this mill do not contain common microbial pathogens and are unlikely to pose a health hazard.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Assay / methods
  • Electrophoresis / methods
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification*
  • Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Industrial Waste / analysis*
  • Paper*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Refuse Disposal*
  • Serotyping / methods
  • Water Microbiology*

Substances

  • Industrial Waste