Biosolids is a nice sounding word for sludge. Sludge from a treatment plant is pretty ripe, releasing all sorts of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that give it a characteristic smell. High BOD, COD, Fats Oils & Greases (FOGs) produce hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and ammonia NH₃. The use of Dr. Higa's Effective Microorganisms™ will rid any biosolids handling facility of its odor problem.

Odors can be controlled by misting or fogging the area and by incorporating EM•1^® into the materials while still in solids handling. In areas where the biosolids are being collected, fogging the area will prevent corrosion on equipment from the sulfuric acid produced by the H₂S and will make for a safer working environment. 

Digestion rates in the composting process can also be noted by incorporating early on in the system as a pre-treatment. Rates are suggested below.

Management of biosolids varies. Sometimes the solids are composted and used as fertilizers. Other times they are incinerated or injected into the ground. No matter what is done, they all have odor issues.

• The equipment can be treated with a 50:1 application rate to clean and eliminate odor.
• The facility can be fogged on a regular basis with a 100:1 application.

Activated EM•1^® is generally used for these applications. Application rates for EM•1^® and Activated EM•1^® are the same. Activation is strictly a function of economics as it results in 22 times the original product.

How EM•1^® Works:

EM•1^® Waste Treatment has a unique ability to stabilize complex proteins through a shift from anaerobic putrefaction cycles to a fermentative cycle. Hair and plastics can play havoc with the balancing of an anaerobic digester by creating over-thickening of the scum layer. Hair is primarily composed of complex proteins, which have been historically difficult to stabilize to a point at which the biological breakdown will occur in a timely manner. EM•1^® Waste Treatment will assist by accelerating protein stabilization.

The microbes in EM•1^® Waste Treatment secrete beneficial substances such as organic acids, enzymes and antioxidants (chelated minerals and vitamins) when in contact with organic matter.  In wastewater applications, EM•1^® assists in shifting conditions from putrefactive to non-putrefactive. This will improve the overall microbial cultures in the biosolids and speed up the finishing time of the materials with little change in methods and no change in equipment used.

Application Instructions:

EM•1^® Waste Treatment is applied at various stages in the treatment process for optimum results. The application site and dosage amounts are dependent on the condition of the material to be treated. If it is odorous and putrefied, it will require a higher rate of application. Typical application rates to biosolids are 1.5-2 gallons per ton at time of mixture. From the application, conventional processing steps are followed thereafter.