[USCC] manure and antibiotics

[Karin Grobe]

The article below points out that there may be antibiotics in the vegetables
we eat.  This was news to me so I thought I'd pass it on. Does anyone know
what happens to antibiotics in manure when composted?
Karin Grobe
Organic Recyclers Anonymous 

Routine Feeding Of Antibiotics To Livestock May Be Contaminating The
Environment
Science Daily - It is estimated that between 9 and 13 million kilograms of
antibiotics are used annually in the United States for raising livestock,
with the majority being used for growth advancement and disease prevention
purposes. Large amounts of antibiotics fed to livestock are excreted and end
up in animal manure, which is commonly applied to agricultural land to
provide crop nutrients. Therefore, food crops grown on manure-altered soils
are exposed to antibiotics.


Large amounts of antibiotics fed to livestock are excreted and end up in
animal manure, which is commonly applied to agricultural land to provide
crop nutrients. (Credit: iStockphoto/Mike Dabell)Ads by Google Advertise on
this site 

Scientists at the University of Minnesota have been evaluating the impact of
antibiotic feeding in livestock production on the environment. This
particular study, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), evaluated whether food crops accumulate antibiotics from soils
spread with manure that contains antibiotics.  

Plant uptake was evaluated in a greenhouse study involving three food crops:
corn, lettuce, and potato. Plants were grown on soil modified with liquid
hog manure containing Sulfamethazine, a commonly used veterinary antibiotic.
This antibiotic was taken up by all three crops. Concentrations of
antibiotics were found in the plant leaves. Concentrations in plant tissue
also increased as the amount of antibiotics present in the manure increased.
It also diffused into potato tubers, which suggests that root crops, such as
potatoes, carrots, and radishes, that directly come in contact with soil may
be particularly vulnerable to antibiotic contamination.
Full article at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070711134530.htm