Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

The Problem:

The soil is sandy and infested with nematodes in some areas of S.Florida .To solve this dilemma some find solutions in using compost that is derived from SLUDGE ( treated human sewage).Even some rush to buy organic fertilizers that use sludge in the form of pebbles to grow ORGANIC VEGGIES..During the clinton administration,the EPA designated sludge derived fertilizers and compost to be used only on the LAWNS.Standards were changed after that and now sludge is labelled as organic and safe for veggies.

Still,I do not use it in my organic vegetable  garden .Instead, I make my own soil and compost or I draw it from a trusted local farmer source.I learned the hard way.In the past:There were news about recalls of some contaminated vegetables .There were news about rocket fuel in Romaine Lettuce and Milk etc.With no health insurance, I better be safe than sorry.

I respect what others might think or choose ,but here I am talking about my OWN choices and why I consider NOT to use compost or organic fertilizers that are derived from SLUDGE.Traces of the following hazardous pollutants were traced to this man made compost:

1-Heavy metals :Lead,cadmium,uranium,mercury.

2-PCB and other manufacturing and industrial chemicals ,flushed down the drain.

3-Pharmaceuticals like prozac and other medications , flushed down the drain.

The References:

There are numerous studies , articles and books which were published that found evidence of harm done to the body especially to the endocrine system from such heavy metals traced to sludge.

Recently an article in Mother Jones traced lead , a heavy metal found at the new White House Organic garden to fertilizers derived from sludge .

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2009/06/did-sludge-lace-obamas-veggie-garden-lead

Recently also we witnessed a protest and jeers from environmental groups concerning the new shift from using new tests on pesticides to determine their influence on the endocrine system .Old tests were recommended instead.

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/10/15/15greenwire-omb-endocrine-directive-draws-industry-cheers-87247.html

http://www.olympus.net/community/oec/sldgbl.html

Books ref.:

1-Hazardous Waste. By: Keith McGowan.ISBN:1-56006-699-7"Chapter 1-Tha Hazardous Wate Problem"

2-Garbage and recycling.ISBN:0-7377-3651-8"Chapter 7-Sewage Sludge Recycling Poses a Threat to Human Health."

Periodicals:

Mother Jones-June -2009 issue.

 The solution:

Refrain from using compost derived from sludge.

When in doubt about the source of your soil, make your own.Consult with a local gardener/ urban farmer near you .

Use composted horse- or home raised chicken -manure instead of sludge.An alternative.

Ask about what is in your soil.make sure you know the source well.

Check  the soil out: Organic soil shoild not smell foul.Should not contain PCB ,PLASTIC TRASH,HEAVY METALS,OTHER PHARMACEUTICAL OR INDUSTRIAL  TRASH.

I recommend non-invasive environmental methods to extract heavy metals from the soil in case contamination is found.One of the methods I use is :PHYTOREMEDIATION.

This word is derived from GREEK.Phyto means :plants,Remedia means:extract.Plants are used since ancient times to extract heavy metals and pollutants from the soil.The process is slow,it takes years but it is environmentally friendly.For example: I am a fan of SUNFLOWER.The native Americans used it to purify the soil.Modern science found out that sunflower draws LEAD out from the ground.

Have a SAFE SOIL!