SUBJECT AND RESULTS
A preparation produced by the homeopathic potentizing process (the agent) has
been tested (summers, 1984-1995) for lowering high levels of ammonia odor
from livestock manure: compost piles, barnyards, and manure packs. The
lowered odor levels (lower by 70-90%) demonstrate that: 1) the potentizing
process can produce an active agent, 2) activity is observed readily (15-30
minutes) after agent application to target materials, 3) activity alters
phase equilibria of extra-cellular ammonia.
AGENT COMPOSITION
The agent is an aqueous ethanol concentrate. The water-diluted application
mixture typically contains 0.004% ethanol and no more than 3 parts per
trillion, by calculation, of dissolved herbal ingredients.
BENEFITS
Lowered levels of ammonia gas benefit farms: 1) ammonia inhalation can
compromise human and animal health, 2) ammonia acts as a fly vector
attractant leading to local pest fly population increase, 3) ammonia released
to air is natural nitrogen lost to soil fertility.
A TRIAL CONTROL
Rain water (closely similar to the application mixture in chemical
composition) falling on untreated manured areas is an ineffective odor
controller when compared to results produced by the application mixture.
COMMENTS
Full agent activity requires a damp-to-wet target prior to application. The
decay process of treated manure appears to be normal, other than showing
lowered levels of ammonia release. The materials treated here are not known
to exhibit placebo response or spontaneous remission of the condition under
treatment.
Copyright 1996 by James C. Silverthorne
PO Box 697
Stroudsburg, PA 18360 USA
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IMPORTANT NOTE FOR U.S.A. READERS
The summary describes results of experimental research. The summary does not
describe a commercial product.
A claim, stated or implied, of pest fly population reduction resulting from
fly attractant reduction (manure odor control) causes a product to be legally
defined as a "pesticide", by current EPA regulation. For example, a common
odor controlling material such as sawdust, with the above claim, would be
EPA-defined as a "pesticide".
Products defined as pesticides are required to be registered with EPA,
regardless of how indirect or benign the action of the product may be on the
pest and the environment. Registration is a complex, lengthy, and costly
procedure which can greatly restrict a product's access to market. This
procedure seems appropriate for products of considerable toxicity. However,
the public is generally unaware that much the same procedure is also required
of (EPA-defined "pesticide") products with very little or no toxicity.
The EPA policy here continues without comment from professionals in the
agricultural, environmental, and medical communities. This policy does not
promote the national benefit. Moreover, this policy is distinctly contrary
to the national consensus favoring ready availability of effective pest
control measures with little or no toxicity.
(end)