Subject: survival of E coli 0157 in manure

From: [email-masked]
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 17:44:26 -0500

The article below provides valuable information on survival of pathogens
including E coli 0157 in manure. The article should put to rest the false claim
that organic produce is contaminated with the pathogen from use of manure
fertilizer. The article notes that compost is free of pathogens.
The article notes that Canada is the leading exporter of pork. That may be
related to lax regulation of manure release and to availability of GM corn and
GM soy for animal feeds because export markets are limited.

Journal of Environmental Quality 32:383-392 (2003)

REVIEWS AND ANALYSES

Pathogen Survival in Swine Manure Environments and Transmission of Human
Enteric Illness—A Review
Tat Yee Guan and Richard A. Holley

Received for publication May 14, 2002. The influence of zoonotic pathogens in
animal manure on human health and well-being as a direct or indirect cause of
human enteric illness is examined. Available international data are considered,
but the study is focused on the developing situation in western Canada, where
it is certain there will be further rapid growth in livestock numbers,
particularly hogs. Major pathogens considered are Escherichia coli O157:H7,
Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. Canada is
now the leading exporter of pork internationally, but recent increases in
production contrast with constant domestic levels of pork consumption and
declining levels of foodborne illness caused by pork. Effects of increased
levels of manure production are not quantifiable in terms of effects on human
health. The presence of major pathogens in manure and movement to human food
sources and water are considered on the basis of available data. Survival of
the organisms in soil, manure, and water indicate significant variability in
resistance to environmental challenge that are characteristic of the organisms
themselves. Generally, pathogens survived longer in environmental samples at
cool temperatures but differences were seen in liquid and solid manure. Based
on actual data plus some data extrapolated from cattle manure environments,
holding manure at 25°C for 90 d will render it free from the pathogens
considered above.