COMPOST STUDIES
DID YOU KNOW.... Compost sites can release Airborne Pathogens,   Aspergillus Fumigatus, Bacterial Endotoxins, Airborne Spores,  VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds), Organic Dusts, Particulate Matter and more..... DID YOU KNOW.... Manorville is part of the "Pine Barrens"?  It is an important area for replenishing our water supply through a process called "water recharge." Long Island is one of the few areas in the United States that obtains its water solely from the underground aquifer.

NJ Comparative Risk Project (7/24/00), Author Tom Atherholt, indicates the following:  

• "Transient concentrations of fungal spores and bacterial endotoxins can be quite high for
  some persons working at or living near open-air composting facilities..."
  
• "Airborne pathogens include fungal spores and bacteria that are released to the air during....
  composting, and various other farming practices.  Sources of these pathogens include
  fungal growth associated with warm wet areas, and agricultural activities that generate
  large quantities of organic dusts that may contain high concentrations of bacterial toxins.  
  Human health effects include respiratory infections, allergic responses, eye, nose and
  throat irritation, as well as more severe cases involving fever and shortness of breath."
  
• "Thresholds for allergic response are regularly exceeded near composting facilities.  In
  some cases, elevated levels may exist up to 1 kilometer from the facility.  Dust-inducing
  agricultural practices can produce concentrations of bacterial toxins far in excess of those
  known to impact lung function."
  
• "High concentrations of bacterial endotoxins are found in organic dusts often generated
  during various agricultural activities involving the agitation of...wood chips..., and during
  various farming activities.  Compost and animal feed operations can also generate high
  levels of endotoxins."
  
• "High concentrations of airborne spores of certain types of fungai and actinomycetes
  (fungai-like bacteria) which are released into the air during...composting (of ...leaves, or
  other cellulose-based materials)."
  
• "Certain fungal spores are also strong allergens.  Such diseases include Asthma, hay
  fever, allergic contact dermatitis and Pneumonitis.  Allergic agents include species of
  Aspergillus,...Symptoms can include eye, nose and throat irritation, nasal stuffiness,
  sinusitis, wheezing.  More serious symptoms include fever and shortness of breath."  
  "Bacterial endotoxins...when present in sufficiently high concentrations, can trigger....
  chronic (bronchitis)".
  
• "Because fungai are relatively new as a threat to human health...none of the 49 state health
  departments that report disease surveillance data to the CDC report any fungal diseases."
  
• "Airborne spore concentrations that cause no effect in some people may cause mild or
  severe adverse effects in other people (e.g. persons with Asthma).  Inter-individual
  differences in susceptibility are common and can be quite large."
  
• "Concentrations of Aspergillus Fumigatus at or near open-air compost facilities can be
  high during operational periods".
  
• "...Persons with Asthma, allergies, or other immunological disorders often have high
  sensitivity to fungal allergens.  Reported percentages of the population with allergy to
  molds vary from 2 to 18% with approximately 80% of persons with Asthma allergic to molds.
  

Compost Facility Resource Handbook states:

• "Compost facilities most likely emit four...regulated air pollutants...Course particulate
  matter (dust), Fine particulate matter; Volatile organic compounds; and Odorous
  compounds."
  

Samples of moulds of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillum were collected at composting plants,
for a study on Cytotoxicity of occupationally and environmentally relevant mycotoxins, per Pub Med
National Library of Medicine:  

• "Mycotoxins can cause various toxic effects in humans.   Acute and chronic respiratory
  diseases were reported after inhalation of organic dust containing toxigenic moulds and
  mycotoxins, respectively."
  

DID YOU KNOW...
The East Moriches Compost
Facility eliminated all intake of
grass?  As stated by the DEC
Assistant Regional Attorney,
Jeanne A. Compitello "Because
we believe grass is the source
of odors at the site..."  Why is it
that Long Island Compost is
allowed to compost grass in
Manorville?

DID YOU KNOW....
That schools in Minden, East
Moriches and Manorville have
had to close their windows due to
the noxious odors from some
compost dumps?  On several
occasions outdoor activities had
to be canceled in Minden and
East Moriches.