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Occupational hygiene was investigated in two Finnish combined-drum-and-tunnel composting plants, Plant A (composting sewage sludge) and Plant B (composting source-separated biowaste), in 1998-2000. The concentrations of viable mesophilic and thermophilic microbes (fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes), the total number of microbes (viable + dead), endotoxin concentrations, and noise level were determined for each plant. In addition, dust concentrations were investigated in Plant B. In Plant A, working areas were aired before the measurements were taken. Differences in microbe concentrations between the plants were statistically significant. There were more problems with microbes in Plant B, where the working areas were not aired. Also, endotoxins were a problem in Plant B; the threshold value of 200 endotoxin units per cubic meter was exceeded in several measurements., Introduction Partly voluntarily and partly by order of the waste act, Finland is moving toward source separation of kitchen biowastes. At present, about 70 percent of Finns are sorting their [...]

Research at the Montgomery County Regional Composting Facility (MCRCF) in Silver Spring Maryland has revealed that VOC emissions and odour from biosolids and composting units can be reduced by using consistent biosolids as feedstocks. The addition of lime and wood ash to biosolids can also reduce emission of odour and sulfur, although the former increases methanol emission.

The odor problems at the yard trimmings site has caused many public health concerns and led to difficulties for the operations of DK Recycling Systems of Lake Bluff, Illinois. The problem has been resolved by conducting investigations into the impact of bioaerosols on health and rectifying the drawbacks in the operations. The lessons learned from this event relate to educating the public in appropriate times, avoiding confrontations, getting regular feedback, and cooperating with the public and regulators.

Compost runoff can be used to produce compost tea, which has nutrient value. Pathogens can be removed through correct treatment procedures, allowing runoff to become a valuable product rather than a waste problem. Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo has carried out work in this area.

NewYork City is to close its last landfill in 2001, which will mean that residential waste will be exported. This gives an incentive to research backyard composting as a means of cutting waste levels. Four residential neighborhoods have been targeted in a study, and they are in Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. The study involved residents being approached by Botanical Garden employees from each borough and asked if they wished to volunteer for the program.

Compost teas are well known to be effective against a wide range of plant pathogens. Laboratory tests were conducted at the University of Tasmania, that used non-sterile commercial fish waste-wood waste compost isolate bacteria, which possibly tip balance to improved biocontrol options.

A study was done on the possibility of using municipal solid waste fro composting. It was shown that composting is limited by particle size and moisture. Optimal conditions for the process include piles measuring two meters high and three meters wide, a two over one mixture of fine particles and 50% humidity. In addition, it was shown that finer particles facilitate biodegradability and that moisture reaches its critical period after eight weeks.