Apr 20, 2008 9:20 pm US/Eastern
Cummings Calls For Hearings On Sludge Study
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Kennedy Krieger helped Johns Hopkins recruit nine low-income black families in East Baltimore for a study designed to reduce lead in dirt around their homes.
Congressman Elijah Cummings is calling for a congressional hearing on Johns Hopkins' controversial decision to use sewage sludge in an experiment involving poor black children.
Dennis Edwards reports Kennedy Krieger helped Johns Hopkins recruit nine low-income black families in East Baltimore for a study designed to reduce lead in dirt around their homes.
The experiment involved removing the top layer of soil in the yards and replacing it with what a Krieger spokesperson calls eckology/orgo and describes it as a "municipal biosolid (sewage sludge) from a Baltimore City wastewater treatment plant combined with woodchips and sawdust. The compost is cured for several months to assure that pathogens are reduced to non-detectable levels."
Congressman Elijah Cummings calls the study alarming. He's scheduling congressional hearings after congressmen from across the country expressed concern that lives could be in danger.
"They expect children to play in this, in these yards, and they also expect them to inhale the stuff. Of course it's dust being thrown up and for it to get into their mouths," said Cummings.
Published reports indicate health risks associated with the use of sludge may have been linked to the deaths of an 11-year-old Pennsylvania boy.
Cummings is concerned about the study and what he calls a lack of follow-up.
Kennedy Krieger issued a statement saying Compost C represents no danger to human life.
The statement goes on to say, "This study was not designed to conduct assessments of any risk of using the compost as this commonly used product is approved for commercial and home use."
Congressional leaders worry the risks were not properly explained to the families involved.
Cummings questions the foundation of research that apparently did not involve proper follow-up.
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