[USCC] Setting Industry Standards

Wed Nov 8 15:57:29 CST 2006

Frank,
I agree that the industry should a least do some testing of samples to
see if E Coli 0157 is showing up in the compost sent in for testing in
the STA program. We would not be in a very defensible position should a
question arise about an STA product and having never checked for it. 
Jack

Jack Hoeck
VP Environmental Services
Rexius
1275 Bailey Hill Rd.
Eugene, OR 97402
1-541-342-1835
1-888-473-9487
jackh at rexius.com

Sustainable Solutions for Landscape, Community and the Environment

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at composter.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at composter.com] On Behalf Of frank
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 11:05 AM
To: US Composting Council Compost Discussion List
Subject: [USCC] Setting Industry Standards

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Composters,
If we (USCC) want to become a leader in setting industry standards and 
show all State and Federal  regulators that we can be counted on to act 
quickly when needed to protect the public, we now have an opportunity.  
A common question is "does compost have E Coli 0157 in it and is it safe

to use?". To take advantage of this oportuinity we need to be set up to 
do the following:

Can we:
Does the USCC have money available to fund the following:
a) fund testing for E Coli 0157 for each compost sample sent in during 
regular testing (cost < $100 per sample) ?
This will answer the question of how often is it found and is it a 
problem. If it is found to be a problem we need to do something about 
correcting it. This could be put out to bid for all samples to be sent 
to one place or a refund to each composter having the test done.

b) fund Bob Miller and the CAP program to add E Coli 0157 to test 
samples to test out the labs doing the testing.
Like the other tests we need to know the method and sample handling is 
such that when we test for it we know the procedure works.

c) Fund the program that adds new procedures to the TMECC so we can 
include the E Coli 0157 procedure to the Methods manual.
We need a group that is in charge of reviewing methods in the manual and

can add methods so all labs use the same proven procedures they need  to

do the testing.

d) fund the added expense to the STA program for working with and make 
changing to the STA form to include E Coli 0157 along with metals, 
salmonella and fecal coliform -IF- found to be needed. To fund the added

cost needed to review results for E Coli 0157 when they are sent in 
along with the other data..

If the USCC can require, or ask for volunteers, -NOW-  to have E Coli 
0157 tested in their compost with their normal sampling and the results 
sent in to Ron Alexander (STA) for review along with their other results

to make a decision if there is, or not a problem - we take control and 
start leading the way. OR we can just sit by and see what happens...... 

Frank

-- 
Frank Shields
Soil Control Lab
42 Hangar way
Watsonville, CA  95076
(831) 724-5422 tel
(831) 724-3188 fax
frank at compostlab.com
www.compostlab.com

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