[USCC] Biosolids testing report

[frank]

Composters

The Biodegradable Plastics Test is a first of its kind, as far as I 
know. Producers make a claim that it is biodegradable in the composting 
process and then a test is developed to prove if they are correct. 
Plastic is mostly harmless but because we see it and it looks bad we do 
not want it in the compost. There are many other things going down the 
drain that we do see nor do we know if it breaks down under normal 
composting conditions. Many of these compounds found in soaps etc. we 
can do without. I suggest if someone wants to manufacture a product that 
is likely to end up in the compost that every ingredient in that product 
go through a testing procedure like what the biodegradable plastic 
industry need to do. It may seem expensive but for each compound it only 
needs be tested once and is then but on the biodegradable list. If 
something is not on the list, or fails the test, then it should not be 
used or special considerations should be made before it is used. 
Medicines could be in this group or places where the use of antibiotic 
soaps are most important are a couple of examples.

Frank




CAVM at aol.com wrote:

>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 
>
>
>_http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2006/sep/science/nl_compostin
>g.html_ 
>(http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2006/sep/science/nl_composting.html) 
> 
>Now that we have developed the ability to test for contaminants in the ppb  
>we can find nearly anything we are looking for at some concentration.
> 
>Neal Van Milligen
>_______________________________________________
>Compost maillist  -  Compost at composter.com
>http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
>
>This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council.
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>
>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 
>
>
>
>  
>

-- 
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