<<Herbicides or pesticides break down during the composting process as
well, leaving a worthwhile product for landscapers or farmers.>>
Do herbicides and other pesticides actually break down or are they
diluted by the organic matter in compost?
Have the metabolites from the breakdown of the herbicides and other
pesticides been identified? Often, I'm told, metabolites are just as
toxic as the original poisons, if not more so.
Susan Snow
===========================================================
> Alan said,
> > don't think that composting eliminates all of the problems.
>
> All compost is not the same. Proper composting eliminates
> pathogens in animal fecal material. For that matter it eliminates
> human pathogens--but metals don't go away.Good management practice
> for composting (and the California Composting Regulations)
> require windrow compost piles be maintained for two weeks at
> temperatures high enough to kill human and plant pathogens. Weed
> seeds become inviable at those temperatures as well.
>
> > Contaminated manure combined with no or improper
> > composting is the prime reason why we are seeing pathogens spreading
> > to non-animal products (ie. fruits and vegies)
>
> Manure, aged manure, or manure that is allowed to compost over a
> year or two, will probably not be pathogen-free.
>
> The California Compost Quality Council is attempting to ensure
> compost producers not only follow the State regulations but go beyond
> to fully disclose materials used to make their compost.Yard
> trimmings collected in towns and cities can be used to make
> compost without pathogens or harmful metal concentrations.
> Herbicides or pesticides break down during the composting process as
> well, leaving a worthwhile product for landscapers or farmers. The
> California Council of Organic Farmers partipated in setting the
> parameters for full disclosure and for third party verification of
> compost products and process for the Compost Quality Council.
> Several compost producers are proudly displaying the seal showing
> their participation.
>
> PJ
>
> > From: Aquatfs <Aquatfs@aol.com>
> > Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1998 13:08:28 EDT
> > To: sksnow@1stnet.com, sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu
> > Subject: Re: metals, other toxics in animal manures?
>
> > In a message dated 98-04-10 11:57:22 EDT, sksnow@1stnet.com writes:
> >
> > << However, what synthethic substances that may also
> > contain heavy metals, such as arsenic, are give to livestock and
> > why? >>
> >
> > I think that this is an excellent question. I am a firm believer
> > that organic farming must limit inputs from organic farms only.
> > There is a vast difference between manure sourced from
> > conventionally versus organically raised animals. Furthermore, I
> > don't think that composting eliminates all of the problems. One
> > problem you did not list is the issue of pathogens in animal fecal
> > material. Contaminated manure combined with no or improper
> > composting is the prime reason why we are seeing pathogens spreading
> > to non-animal products (ie. fruits and vegies). And no, I don't
> > endorse the ag business rationale that it is the wild animals that
> > roam in the fields that are the only source of contamination.
> >
> > Thanks for raising this issue.
> >
> > Alan Ismond, P.Eng.
> >
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>
> Pat Jones
> pjjones@worldnet.att.net
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