Risks of Composting
Composting organic matter into a soil amendment for your yard or garden helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills but also has certain risks. Understanding the risks of composting highlights the importance of correctly managing your backyard or farm compost heap. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Facts
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When you place certain materials such as old food and animal manure in your compost pile, you introduce organisms (pathogens) to your compost that may cause diseases in humans.
Size
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According to Cornell Waste Management Institute, your backyard compost pile must be at least 3 cubic feet (3 feet X 3 feet X 3 feet) for your compost to maintain the sustained high temperatures required for the destruction of pathogens.
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Time Frame
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Allow your compost to age for at least 12 months before using it on plants. This will minimize the chances of pathogen survival.
Prevention
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To reduce your chances of getting a disease from pathogens in your compost, always wear gloves when working in your compost pile and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
Warning
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Never put pet or swine feces in your compost piles as parasites in these types of manure can survive hot-composting methods, causing serious human infections.
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