[USCC] O157 E Coli

[The Rubins]

Forrest and Tim:

Am I missing something in this discussion?  The USEPA Part 503 Standards for 
the composting of biosolids result in the reduction/elimination of 
pathogenic microbial species in the finished biosolids-based compost to 
levels where the compost is perfectly safe to handle as an agricultural, 
horticultural, or lawn and garden product without any further regulatory 
restrictions.  Surely neither of you is suggesting that the pathogenic 
strain of E Coli, O157, is some sort of a super thermophile, able to survive 
under the Part 503 Standards' thermal and aerobic composting conditions??

Or are you suggesting that somehow the presence of E Coli O157 in animal 
manure (not biosolids) is somehow immune from destruction under Part 503 
conditions?

Or is it just that the composting conditions that Forrest is using is not as 
rigorous as the Part 503 Standards?  Please clarify or comment on this. 
Elliot and Rufus, your comments are welcome and needed as well.

Cheers

Alan


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tim Evans" <tim at timevansenvironment.com>
To: "'US Composting Council Compost Discussion List'" 
<compost at composter.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2006 2:44 AM
Subject: Re: [USCC] O157 E Coli


> U.S. COMPOSTING COUNCIL 15th ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW
> Wyndham Orlando Resort | Orlando, FL | January 21-24, 2007
> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of 
> the composting and organics recycling industry
> CONFERENCE PROGRAM, REGISTRATION FORMS, WORKSHOP AGENDAS,
> EXHIBITOR INFORMATION AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE 
> USCC WEBSITE: www.compostingcouncil.org OR CALL THE USCC AT 631-737-4931
>
>
> Forrest,
>
> Yes, goats can carry O157:H7.  The food safety newsletter Fsnet just 
> carried
> an article about a 17 year old girl who came down with O157 after stroking 
> a
> bottle-fed goat kid that was taken to her church - the story said that 
> after
> stroking the kid she went on to suffer kidney failure and had a leg
> amputated because of gangrene.
>
> Whether to compost animal manure is a risk assessment:
> - is there a pathway for direct ingestions such as will people be handling
> the compost with their bare hands?
> - will it be used on soil in which plants will grow that will be eaten 
> raw?
>
> If I were going to use the compost on corn crops, around top-fruit or
> ornamental plantings (as examples) I think I would include the manure in 
> the
> composting - but it's your decision - you know what the compost is going 
> to
> be used for and how controlled your conditions are.
>
> regards
>
> Tim
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Forrest W. Thye [mailto:thye at vt.edu]
> Sent: 14 December 2006 19:41
> To: compost at composter.com
> Subject: [USCC] O157 E Coli
>
> I have seen E Coli O157 mentioned to be wide spread in cattle and
> sheep manure (and pig manure who have consumed cattle or sheep
> manure).  Is O157 found in horse or goat manure as well and as wide
> spread as in cattle and sheep?  Since I don't have the facilities to
> compost with the control needed to be sure to kill pathogens such as
> O157 I don't think I should be using any manure from any species in
> my small scale composting operation.  Thanks
> Forrest Thye
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
> For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
> ______________________________________________________________________
> _______________________________________________
> Compost maillist  -  Compost at composter.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> This month's sponsor is:
>
> Cover-All Building Systems
> The leading manufacturer of steel-framed, fabric membrane covered 
> structures available in clear-span widths of 18 to 160 feet. Visit 
> www.coverall.net to learn more or call 1.800.268.3768 to be connected with 
> your local dealer.
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
> Ongoing Sponsors of the Compost Discussion List are:
>
> Food Industry Environmental Network (FIEN), a regulatory and policy e-mail 
> alert service for environmental, food and agricultural industry 
> professionals.
> Contact Jack Cooper 301/384-8287 JLC at fien.com --- www.fien.com
>
> Renewable Carbon Management, LLC with the containerized, in-vessel 
> NaturTech Composting System www.composter.com rcm at composter.com
>
> The US Composting Council (USCC) Non-members of USCC are encouraged to 
> join the Council through its website at: 
> http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
>
> (c) Copyright 2006  - All rights reserved
>
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their 
> posting privelages suspended.
>
> Opinions expressed represent only the poster and are not necessarily the 
> opinion or policy of any organization.
>
> The Compost List is a service moderated by Jim McNelly of Renewable Carbon 
> Management, LLC.
>
> For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, 
> unsubscribing, digest or other options, go 
> to:http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
> For additional help in unsubscribing or to report bugs and problems, send 
> a message to the Compost List Manager, Jim McNelly, at 
> compost-owner at composter.com
>