Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
When you buy bagged commercial compost, you have no idea
what went into it. Though the regulations for USDA Certified
Organic agriculture prohibit the use of sewage sludge on
crops labeled as “USDA Organic”, there is no such
prohibition on the labeling of bagged compost, and many
types of compost labeled as “organic” contain sewage
sludge.
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In theory, composting human waste is just fine, provided it is
done in a fashion that eliminates pathogens. Even drug
metabolites in human waste are often effectively destroyed or
rendered biologically inert as part of the composting process.
But sewage sludge is not a result of such a composting
process, and large-scale waste treatment systems are not
equipped to remove many harmful chemicals. Humans
consume a vast array of chemicals in the form of medications,
artificial colors, preservatives and so forth. The levels of drug
metabolites in our waste stream are so high that
pharmaceuticals such as Prozac have shown up in water
supplies.
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Sewage sludge also contains more than merely
human waste. Sludge contains the chemicals, hair dyes, heavy
metals, paint, degreasers, detergents and motor oil people
wash down their drains, drugs that are not detoxified by the
sewage treatment process and more. An EPA survey of sludge
samples conducted in 2009 found detectable levels of a dozen
drugs, flame retardants and even endocrine disruptors.
So if you DO wind up buying bagged compost, please pay
attention to the fine print and ask about its contents.
As previously stated, bagged compost is pretty expensive. If
when you start your garden you have to buy compost because
you have made none of your own, it will be more
