This spring, I had the privilege of taking a Newswriting and Reporting class through NYU’s School of Professional Studies. I took the class to improve my interviewing skills and learn more about journalism ethics for A Nourishing Harvest.

For my final class project, I wanted to learn more about topsoil available for sale. Where is it collected from? It is processed or amended in any way? Do topsoil companies test for nutrients, pH, heavy metals, and/or other contaminants?

Since the safety of biosolids in gardening has not been adequately verified by research-- and in some cases, research indicates possible harmful effects-- I personally avoid applying compost and soil products that contain biosolids to my garden.

This month, I visited several hardware stores and garden centers to see if I could find biosolids in bagged soil and compost products. In addition to biosolids' application on conventional farm fields, municipalities turn this sewage treatment byproduct into bagged compost for residential use. These products can be purchased at garden centers around the country.

This is the second of several articles exploring the use of biosolids in agriculture and residential composting products. We begin with general info about contaminants in biosolids—which wastewater treatment can and cannot remove—and how well plants may absorb those contaminants. 

This is the first of several articles exploring the use of biosolids in agriculture and residential composting products. We will start with general info about contaminants in biosolids, which contaminants wastewater treatment can and cannot remove, and begin to explore how well plants absorb those contaminants.