The application of sludge on agriculturally used soils and the problem of persistent organic pollutants

A set of 45 samples of the sludge from wastewater factories in the area of the Czech Republic was completed. The selection of wastewater factories reflected the extent of observed area as well as the occurrence of the industrial wastewater. The contents of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in the samples. Moreover, the contents of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofuranes (PCDD/F) were detected in 16 samples. The set of analytical data summarises the level of sewage sludge contamination by POPs within Czech wastewater factories. The results were compared with the directive of Czech Ministry of Environment, No. 382/2001 Sb. and with the proposed limit values of the EU directive, No. 86/278. Among all the determined substances only the value of the sum of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content exceeded the threshold value given by the proposed EU directive.