Impact of a Cambi Thermal Hydrolysis Process™-Anaerobic Digestion (TH-AD) solids treatment method on concentrations of 4 phthalate plasticizers in wastewater sludge samples was explored. Samples were analyzed for diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), diisodecyl phthalate (DiDP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) concentrations during individual stages of the TH-AD treatment process, in biosolids produced by the TH-AD process (Class A biosolids) and Class B biosolids from the same facility produced through the liming of sludges. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of all 4 compounds in Class A biosolids compared to concentrations in Class B biosolids. For DEHP, DiNP, and DiDP, this increase occurred during the anaerobic stage of treatment. Calculations indicate that increases of the four study compounds in Class A biosolids, compared to Class B biosolids, were not solely due to solid reduction during anaerobic digestion and dilution during liming. Overall, implementation of the TH-AD process increased concentrations of phthalate plasticizers in biosolids.
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