[Heavy metal problems in the agricultural utilization of sewage sludge]

Introductory comments on the problems linked with sewage sludge disposal and utilization are given and it is demonstrated that agricultural use of sludge must definitely be given preference over other disposal methods for reasons related to waste utilization and ecology. The legal development which led from the promulgation of the Waste Disposal Act via its recent revision to the Sewage Sludge Decree according to para 15 of this Act, is illustrated. Subsequently the objectives of the decree, which in particular also attempts to solve the problems associated with heavy metals in agricultural sludge utilization, as well as the technical contents of the draft are dealt with. Reference is made to the Sewage Sludge Decree promulgated by the Swiss Bundesrat and to a corresponding draft of guidelines prepared by the Commission of the EEC and the measures which must be adopted to solve the heavy metal problem in the future are then mentioned.