[Hygienic aspects of agricultural land applications of wastewater and sewage sludge].

Wastewater can be removed either by introducing it into rivers or by land application. Both methods are burdened with different hygienic risks. Generally, the danger of disease infections associated with agricultural land application of wastewater is overestimated. On the other hand, the potential health hazard caused by the introduction of wastewater into rivers or coastal waters are underevaluated. Reasons of hygiene are given, however, the main cause of the hygiene risk is due to cultural and social aspects.