[USCC] Blue mold in compost

[Kevin Donnelly]

I am working on an interesting situation with a customer of mine.  We are supplying redwood bark nuggets to the lincoln park zoo to be used in their gorilla exhibit.  It is being used in essence as a bulking agent to compost the fecal and vegetable waste that the animals generate.  There is approx 3 ft of material present as the floor and on a regular basis things are turned under and the idea is it will slowly be composted down. There are a few other zoos doing the same thing.  
   
  Here is the dilemma.  The redwood bark has Penicilium mold on it right out of the bags we send.  They are concerned for possible health hazards, which is understandable.  There are some areas that have a mixture of pine and redwood, but the redwood only exhibit has the mold.  Penicilium is an omni-present fungal spore, so we may not be able to prevent it from being on the bark.  Among other avenues of solutions I figured I would pose the question to all of you.
   
  In composting of vegetable matter, or bulking agents such as redwood bark, would the natural balance of the composting present cause a decline of the blue mold? Are there conditions in composting that favor or inhibit blue mold growth?  Maybe adding active compost to the mix would help.  Are there any other ideas that may help lead me to some sort of solution?
   
  Thanks for you help.
  Kevin Donnelly
  Quality Control Supervisor
  Midwest Trading
  edtamias at yahoo.com