[USCC] Inactivation of prion wastes before discharge to sewageplants

Sun Nov 19 18:38:29 CST 2006

Helane,

"From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prion Diseases (TSEs)
Classifications and external resources ICD-10 A81 
ICD-9 046 
A prion  — short for proteinaceous infectious particle (by analogy to
virion) — is a type of infectious agent made only of protein."

Either my science instructors were wrong, or a new non-organic heat
resistant protien is being proposed that can withstand temperatures at
which all organic matter is destroyed.  Ash contains no organic matter and
therefore can not contain prions.  At 200 degrees C burning of organic
matter occurs.  At 550 degrees C for two hours all organic matter is
destroyed, and only mineral matter remains.  Protiens are organic and are
destroyed at temperatures below 550 degrees C.  Dr. Brown needs to clean
his work area and instruments better to prevent cross contamination.

In aerated conditions of composting over extended periods of time, at
temperatures that denature protiens, and in the hostile environments
created in enzyme rich environments, I don't think your prions would last
very long.  I could walk quickly through fire for a short period without
being burned, especially in the absence of the catalyst for combustion
(oxygen).  Stick me in a composting pile for a few days and see how I look
when you dig me out.  

Dr. Brown and company can claim that heat will not kill these prions, but,
to my knowledge, no composting experimentation has been shown not to kill
the prions.  Let Dr. Brown perform his experiments under aerated
conditions, then let us know the results.  

Dave Schellinger
Alternatives, L.L.C.  

> [Original Message]
> From: Helane Shields <hshields at worldpath.net>
> To: Composting Council <Compost at composter.com>
> Date: 11/18/2006 11:16:09 PM
> Subject: [USCC] Inactivation of prion wastes before discharge to
sewageplants
>
> U.S. COMPOSTING COUNCIL 15th ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW
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the composting and organics recycling industry
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>
>
>
> This is in response to Perry Beeman's 11/18/06 article in the Des Moines
Register on incineration of prion infected tissue at the Ames, Iowa,
National Animal Disease Center prior to discharge to city sewage plant. 
The panel of 11 experts  concluded "cooking the wastes at 250 degrees
Fahrenheit" (121 degrees Celsius) is adequate to inactivate prions.
>
> To the contrary, Dr.Paul Brown, et al, Office of Research Facilities
Development and Operations, NIH, US Dept. of HHS,  Bethesda, Maryland,
published the following findings:  [Environ Sci Technol. 2004 Nov
15;38(22):6155-60]:
>
> "We investigated the effectiveness of 15 min exposures to 600 and 1000
degrees C in continuous flow normal and starved-air incineration-like
conditions to inactivate samples of pooled brain macerates from hamsters
infected with the 263K strain of hamster-adapted scrapie with an
infectivity titer in excess of 10(9) mean lethal doses (LD50) per g. " 
(600 degrees Celsius= 1112 degrees Fahrenheit . . . . . 1000 degrees C =
1832 degrees F)."
>
> "In a previous series of experiments (4), we showed that transmission
could occur even after ashing infected tissue in a covered crucible at 600
°C: 
> [1112 degrees F] the ash from one sample of fresh brain tissue heated for
15 min transmitted to five of 18 animals . . . "
>
> " We conclude that at temperatures approaching 1000 degrees C under the
air conditions and combustion times used in these experiments, contaminated
tissues can be completely inactivated, with no release of infectivity into
the environment from emissions. "
>
> Thus National Institutes of Health scientists have concluded 250 degees
Fahrenheit is inadequate to disinfect prion wastes -- and that 1000 degrees
C -- equal to 1832 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary.
>
> One statement in the news report was, however, quite true:  "If any
infectious agents survived, they would be in sewage sludge that is spread
on city-owned fields."
>
> Helane Shields, PO Box 1133, Alton, NH 03809   Tel: 603-875-3842
>
>
>
>
>  
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