[USCC] New Compost list member: studies on ink residues in compost?

Tue Jan 15 11:30:44 CST 2008

Dear Ms. Leboe et al.:

I hoped someone else would respond, but felt by now I should explain
what is known about risk from ink constituents, colors, etc.

In the old days, color inks were often metal pigments. But by 20 years
ago, the newspaper and printing industries were encouraged to change to
safety evaluated inks both for worker exposure concerns, and
environmental issues, and for consistency of colors in national
advertising. They developed new color systems that were free of metals,
were safe for workers, and as far as has been reported that I know of,
safe for the environment. And biodegradable over time. I think the
highest exposure is to workers, and the union and institutional
requirements for worker protections can give us some assurance that the
inks are safe in the general sense of this word.

This question about safety of inks arose in relation to use of color
newspaper pages as mulch in gardens - safe for food crops? Safe for soil
organisms? Etc. There was a day when newspapers started to have color in
the regular pages, not just the comics and advertising pages.

This question arose again in regard to use of color newspaper pages in
compost and recycling systems in the early 1990 when USCC got started.

I have analyzed color pages of the Washington Post and confirm that
metals are very low.

I heard that some cardboard blue inks are still Cu containing, but they
are a minor source of Cu in solid wastes.

In a similar way, 30 years ago the glue used to stick labels on cans,
etc., contained boron as a fungicide to protect the glue, and MSW was so
high in boron that boron toxicity was observed in MSW composts used as a
high portion of potting media. But that has ceased to be the normal
commercial practice and we don't have reports of B toxicity from MSW
composts today. Used at any rate in potting media.

The old Thermofax copy paper had a zinc-pigment in the paper and I would
advise against recycling of Thermofax papers. I don't have knowledge of
present temperature sensitive printing materials.

I confirmed the newspaper color ink metals information with some
national organization of newspaper publishers about 15 years ago when a
note was prepared for Organic Gardening Magazine.

Regards,

Rufus Chaney
Beltsville, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Elizabeth
Leboe
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 8:04 PM
To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
Subject: [USCC] New Compost list member: studies on ink residues in
compost?

Hello Compost list people,

I am new to this email list, so please forgive me if this question has
already been batted around.  

I work at the North Shore Recycling Program in North Vancouver, British
Columbia.  We run a backyard composter sales program for residents, and
we plan to ramp up our community programming and services to better
support residents in their composting efforts.  One question that is
asked of me again and again is that of "what about the inks on
newspaper"?  Well, I've contacted the printers that do our local papers
and they do in fact use a canola-based ink.  Of course, this vegetable
oil contains pigments, solvents and varnishes as well to make the
printing process more effective.

My question to this list:  can anyone refer me to any studies that have
been written up wherein actual backyard compost - produced in a backyard
composter and/or a worm composter with the addition of newsprint - has
been tested in a lab to ascertain if there are any ink residues that
pose a health hazard to people?

Thank you very much.
Elizabeth Leboe

____________________ 
Elizabeth Leboe
Community Programs/GardenSmart Coordinator
North Shore Recycling Program 
____________________ 

148 East 2nd Street 
North Vancouver, BC V7L 1C3

t: (604) 984-9730 
f: (604) 984-3563 
e: elizabeth at nsrp.bc.ca 

www.nsrp.bc.ca
<file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Liz/Application%20Data/Microsoft/
Signatures/www.nsrp.bc.ca>   www.gardensmart.ca
<file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Liz/Application%20Data/Microsoft/
Signatures/www.gardensmart.ca>   www.naturalgardenstour.com
<http://www.naturalgardenstour.com/> 

Did you know... as of January 1, 2008, there are a number of items you
will no longer be able to set out as garbage (i.e., you must now recycle
them), including newspaper, corrugated cardboard, office paper, Blue Box
recyclables, computers, televisions and other electronic items, yard
trimmings and a variety of other items.  For details, visit
www.metrovancouver.org/zerowaste
<blocked::http://www.metrovancouver.org/zerowaste>  or
www.northshorerecycling.ca <blocked::http://www.northshorerecycling.ca/>
.

_______________________________________
Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade
Show
Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA | February 9-12, 2008.
The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion
of the composting and organics recycling industry.
Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and
Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website:
www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 
________________________________________________________________________
______
Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
_______________________________________
This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
(c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights
reserved

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the
Foundation, or the Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its
website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their
posting privileges suspended. 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 unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send
a message to the List Manager at
compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org