[USCC] Responses to McGowan's comments

[Rufus Chaney]

Dear Edo and USCC folks:

Edo, I was trying to help you see that your extrapolation to find risk from composting was extreme to the absurd.

["Perhaps, however, you misunderstood where I was coming from on the flies issue, but then considering your non-medical background, that is unfortunate, but not uncommon and is certainly understandable. Some time ago we were discussing energy conversion and I think that I mentioned that this might be the wave of the future. I think you took umbrage to that.] 

I would not describe my response as taking umbrage, but as pointing out that you were dead wrong about recovering energy from biosolids. If you were correct about biosolids as a valuable energy source, we should make more to burn to save on oil imports. Maybe it should be "make biosolids to replace oil and stop wars"? You continue to make these extreme extrapolations and claim risks from biosolids use and composting. But those of us informed about the important role of wastewater treatment, biosolids processing, and composting in protecting public health have to wonder how you get to your conclusions considering all the evidence. In my earlier note today to Ms. Reilly, I commented about another of your favorite topics, risks from residues of anti-bacterials in biosolids. 

Like Mr. Kuter, Mr. Shields and others who participate in the USCC listserve, I don't believe that your comments are often relevant to the real world of composting and compost use, and often are anti-biosolids ranting. I'm not retired and I don't have time to spend on topics which are not helpful to the composting industry and users of compost who are the central participants in this listserve.

Regards,

Rufus Chaney
Beltsville, MD