Toxic Sewage Sludge Closes Playing Fields

Putting sewage sludge on playing fields sounds suspect enough, but when it contains toxic industrial PCBs, it raises hackles.

That's what the Milwaukee Public Schools found after spreading 28 tons of sewage sludge on 25 recreational fields earlier this month. Elevated levels of PCBs were found in soil tests, prompting the closure a few days later of the fields, along with sports leagues that have 16,000 participants.

And get this -- The Environmental Protection Agency allows sewage sludge fertilizer to contain PCBs, just at 10 parts per million or less. The school district called its move a precaution. Sounds like some extra precaution ought to be applied when applying sewage sludge to school grounds.

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