PRION

PRIONS IN COMPOSTING
Postings of Helane Shields to Composting Council discussion group in 2006 on issue of infectious human and animal
prions in both Class A and Class B sewage sludge biosolids, with particular regard to the fact that EPA pathogen
reduction measures under Part 503 do NOT inactivate prions . . . . .

EPA States:
  • Composting is not a sterilization process and a properly composted product maintains an active
         population of beneficial microorganisms that compete against the pathogenic members. Under some
         conditions ,explosive regrowth of pathogenic microorganisms is possible

  • These organisms can potentially invade a normal, healthy human being and produce illness or
         debilitation
         http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/combioman.pdf