jimbynum's Profile

The sludge compost might meet the requirement of less than 1,000 thermotolerant E. coli bacteria per gram, until it got wet at which point all viable but nonculturable bacteria tend to rejuvenate. Look at two studies

Repopulation in Composted Sludges

The repopulation potential and recovery of Salmonella sp. and their close relatives Arizona spp. and Citrobacter spp. in sewage sludge which had been composted was examined. Salmonellae growth in previously composted sludge was found to occur in the mesophilic temperature range (20 to 40 deg C), require a moisture content of -20%, and require a carbon/nitrogen ratio in excess of 15:1.

These results also indicated that some enteric bacteria, upon desiccation, became dormant and in this state were highly resistant to both heat and radiation.

Optimal recoveries in the low bacteria sample occurred at the 21% moisture level at 28 to 36 deg C after a 5-day incubation. The population increased more than four orders of magnitude under these conditions. The indigenous salmonellae initiating this growth had survived in a desiccated state for over 1 year prior to providing the proper moisture-temperature combination for the repopulation to occur. --- as long as a demonstrated potential exists for repopulation of salmonellae in a commercial soil amendment product produced from composted sludge, a potential health hazard exists for the user.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Mar. 1981, p. 597-602
http://thewatchers.us/EPA/2/1981-salmonella-regrowth-compost.pdf

Evaluation of the Health Risks Associated with the Treatment and Disposal of Municipal Wastewater and Sludge (1981) Compost worker - ear infection - Despite treatment, there was erosion of 70% of the right tympanic membrane. One compost worker's x-ray exhibited an abnormality compatible with an occupationally-relate disorder.

Heat Dried Milorganite study 36. For both the annual and perennial fields the incidence of liver degeneration in the meadow vole did not differ between the fertilized and sludge treated plots but was lower in the control plots. 37. Meadow voles from the sludge-treated annual field showed a more severe liver degeneration than those from the sludge-treated perennial fields.

http://thewatchers.us/EPA/4/1981-health-risk-rvaluation.pdf

http://thewatchers.us/index/early-studies.html