[USCC] Fecal Coliform testing issues

[Schellinger, David A.]

Eliot,
It sounds to me like the biosolids were not adequately composted if
sufficient readily available organic constituents were present to allow
regrowth that quickly.  Such a situation points to a need for improved
process control, to reduce the probability of regrowth in composted
biosolids.

Dave Schellinger 

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at composter.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at composter.com] On Behalf Of
epsteinee at comcast.net
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 8:34 AM
To: US Composting Council Compost Discussion List
Subject: Re: [USCC] Fecal Coliform testing issues

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 


If a sample had fecal coliform (FC) bacteria when shipped, there could
be regrowth. When New York City sent their biosolids to Texas and
Colorado they found that before shippment they met the USEPA fecal
coliform count of less than 2 million as required cor Class B. When the
material arrived in the west the count was higher and did not met the
regulations.

USEPA's regulations 40CFR503 state that the release of a product is
based on testing before shipment. Therefore one should test the product
before shipment and avoid a second remote test. The test should be
reported as MPN. The membrane filter method is not allowed.One needs to
understand the rational for the 1000 FC regulatory requirement. In 1988
Yanko for LA County Sanitation Districts conducted a study for USEPA. He
found that when the FC count was below 1000 MPN per gram total dry
solids no Salmonella sp. were detected (details in Epstein, 1997 "The
Science of Composting" pg. 459). Appendix F of the regulations provides
for sample preparation for fecal coliform and Salmonella sp. bacteria. 

I have always advised my clients to test for Salmonella sp. bacteria
rather than fecal coliform.

Eliot Epstein
Epstein Environmental Consultants, LLC

--
Eliot Epstein PhD
Adjunct Professor of Public Health
Boston University
19 Preston Place
North Easton, MA 02356
Tel: 508-238-1631
Cell: 781-603-7151
E-mail: epsteinee at comcast.net

-------------- Original message --------------
From: ALFRED RATTIE <arconsulting1 at verizon.net> 

> 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
> 
> 
> Some participants of the USCC's STA Program are experiencing a failure

> to meet pathogen reduction (fecal coliform) standards as required by 
> EPA 503 regulations. This, while not a seemingly unusual situation;
> - does not always occur with a given producer's compost
> - sometimes occurs only after shipping to a distant STA lab, but not 
> during local lab testing (some producers test twice)
> - is occurring with both yard trimming and biosolids compost Two 
> examples of recent problems are listed below:
> **********************************************************************
> **********
> **********************************************************************
> ***
> 1) I had a series of conversation with an STA lab and several others 
> regarding the fecal regrowth issues. Case in point, a recent analysis 
> showing a fecal count of 1,900 was received. The five windrows that 
> were composited and sampled for this test each passed local lab PFRP
testing, i.e. fecal coliform analysis.
> I have documented proof of this. Now we have a set of lab results that

> reflects data that makes this a class 2 product rather than a class 1 
> product that it started out as when it came out of the PFRP process. 
> Again, we have records documenting time and temperature data as well 
> as the local lab fecal colifrom results. What would account for this?
> 
> 2) I was failing fecal coliform testing when I shipped my compost to 
> an STA lab using the prescribed TMECC practices. This ended when I 
> used a courier service to make an immediate delivery. Is there a 
> regrowth issue associated with shipping and handling?
> **********************************************************************
> **********
> **********************************************************************
> *** The USCC's STA Program requires participants to pass both pathogen

> and metals testing. We are struggling to understand why these compost 
> producers are experiencing this problem. All input is welcome.
> 
> Thanks,
> Al Rattie
> USCC STA Program Administrative/Technical Manager 
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> Opinions expressed represent only the poster and are not necessarily 
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_______________________________________________


Ongoing Sponsors of the USCC 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

(c) Copyright 2006 United States  - All rights reserved

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses will have
their posting privelages suspended.  No exceptions!

Opinions expressed represent only the poster and are not necessarily the
opinion or policy of any organization.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through our
website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm     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 List Manager, Jim McNelly, at
compost-owner at composter.com