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Perspective

Compost Science & Utilization, (2009), Vol. 17, No. 1, 3

No Shortage of Research Needs

RECENTLY, we received a call from a solid waste district in Vermont inquiring about any current composting-related research on benzo(a)pyrene, which was found in the district’s yard trimmings compost at 192 parts/billion. Benzo(a)pyrene is one of a family of compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. Officials suspect the source of the PAHs is from leaves raked up by

city residents. Trees filter PAHs from automobile exhaust pipes, furnaces and wood stoves (and other sources), and store them in the leaves.
While the district temporarily suspended sales of the compost, the state’s toxicologist said he would not worry about using the material, as benzo(a)pyrene is found in everything from tree leaves to the blackened crust of a barbecued steak. The toxicologist told the city’s newspaper that, “You have to understand they are ubiquitous. There is no way you can go through your day and avoid them.”
The solid waste district is continuing to sort out the situation, which highlights the continuing need for research on composting and compost utilization. Around the world, composting is receiving growing recognition as an effective tool to combat global warming — for landfill methane avoidance, for carbon sequestration and in general, to reduce demand for fossil fuel based fertilizers. Along with this increased attention comes demand for “supporting documentation,” i.e., critical research that waste managers, growers and other end users, elected officials and regulators, and other interested parties can use to support their advocacy of the practices, and respond to questions related to public health and environmental impacts.
Every issue of Compost Science & Utilization features this kind of research. And coincidentally, the Winter 2009 issue includes several papers on contaminated soils and composting. While not directly related to the situation in Vermont, the findings expand on compost’s connections to breaking down pollutants such as PAHs.
The upcoming BioCycle International Conference 2009 — April 27-30 in San Diego, California (www.biocycle50.com) — is another illustration of the breadth and depth of ongoing research in the composting community. There are numerous papers related to composting and compost utilization, as well as links between composting and climate change, that will help to answer questions and further the dialogue among researchers and practitioners, as well as highlight future research needs. Join your colleagues from around the globe at the BioCycle International Conference 2009, where we also are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of BioCycle magazine. — N.G.