[USCC] Vol 28, Issue 26, Biofuels vs composting and land spreading

[The Rubins]

Edo:

You are to be commended for resubmitting (?) the comments of Professor 
Elliot Epstein.  I am glad to see that you finally recognize the value and 
safety of compost for managing a significant portion of biosolids in the US.

Cheers

Alan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Edo McGowan" <edomcgowan at earthlink.net>
To: <compost at composter.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 10:28 PM
Subject: [USCC] Vol 28, Issue 26, Biofuels vs composting and land spreading


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Wyndham Orlando Resort | Orlando, FL | January 21-24, 2007
The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of 
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Dear List Serve Members,

In this entire discussion one thing has been missing.

Biosolids compost has been used since 1976 (thirty years)in public and 
private locations.  It has been used in Constitutional Garden for the 
BiCentenial; on the White House lawn (possibly that is the problem with the 
administration); Annapolis Capital grounds, Statue of Liberty State Park; 
and numerous other public places.  It has been used for 16 years as the 
product ComPro in the Maryland, Virgina, and DC areas in both private homes 
and gardens as well as public places. It has been marketed successfully in 
California, West Virginia, Florida and other states in large quantities for 
parks, highway median strips and gardens. It has been used for mine spoil 
reclamation and erosion control in West Virginia, Washington, and 
Pennsylvania.

There has never been a single documented case or evidence of any health 
problems in these 30 years. There is not a single article in the Medical 
literature or any peer review journal indicating any health risks or 
situations involving public health.

On the other hand, there have been numerous cases of manure contamination of 
foods even resulting in death.  This is because biosolids compost is 
regulated by both the USEPA and the various states.  Manure is not 
regulated. Although I enjoy organically grown foods, I am very careful as to 
the source and leary of locally grown products.  I would not hesitate nor 
have avoided eating produce grown on biosolids compost.

Eliot Epstein, PhD
Adjunct Professor of Public Health Boston University School of Public Health 
and Senior Scientist , Epstein Environmental Consultants, LLC.