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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

State Plans Close Watch On Waste In Fertilizers Gov. Locke’s Administration Has Come Down On The Side Of Stricter Testing And Regulation, Rather Than A Ban

David Ammons Associated Press

Consumers don’t need to worry about the safety of their food supply, but the state plans a closer watch over fertilizers that include recycled hazardous waste, Locke administration officials said Thursday.

The state departments of Agriculture, Ecology, and Health and Washington State University said they will join forces to make sure farmers know more about the fertilizers they use, to protect the environment and to ensure that the food supply remains safe.

The 10-point plan includes closer monitoring and proposed state legislation to let Agriculture set standards for heavy metal content in fertilizers and to authorize Ecology to approve or reject use of industrial byproducts for fertilizers.

The federal government also will be asked to set national standards.

Recent newspaper accounts revealed that toxic or hazardous materials are being recycled into fertilizer in Washington and other states, apparently without much oversight from state or federal governments.

Regulators encourage recycling of industrial wastes, but nitrogen, magnesium and other nutrients often are accompanied by dangerous heavy metals such as cadmium and lead, the reports said.

A group of critics recently told state and federal regulators they want the government to outlaw or greatly restrict the practice until all of the health hazards are known.

Quincy Mayor Patty Martin and some Columbia Basin farmers, backed by the Washington Toxics Coalition, said they fear farmers and consumers are endangered by fertilizers that include heavy metals, toxic chemicals and radioactive wastes.

But Gov. Gary Locke’s administration has come down on the side of stricter testing and regulation, rather than a ban.

“The information we’ve seen so far says there is no reason to worry about the food supply,” said state Health Director Bruce Miyahara. “However, continued study of fertilizers should be done to ensure (their) safety.”

Added Agriculture Director Jim Jesernig, “Growers have a right to know what they use is beneficial to crops and safe for the consumer and the environment.

Ecology chief Tom Fitzsimmons called the interagency, 10-step effort “a strong, well-balanced approach.”

In an interview with the Seattle Times last week, Locke said, “I think that people need to know what is going into the food supply and I think that from that public education and awareness, they can make their decisions, and I think the farmers themselves would appreciate that information.”

The Northwest Food Processors Association told the administration last month that it supports greater regulation.

Last month, Agriculture reported that its survey of companies that manufacture or sell recycled fertilizers showed varying amounts of the heavy metals, coming from industrial sludge, rendering plants, spent acids, smelters, cement kilns, burning medical waste, newsprint and a variety of sources.

None of the findings came as a surprise, but the agency is continuing to study the subject, the department said.

There is no conclusive evidence the recycling poses a threat to health - but there also is none to show it doesn’t.

In some countries, the uncertainty has led to strict regulation, with use of toxic wastes in fertilizer limited until the practice is proven safe. In the United States, the approach is to allow the practice until it’s proven unsafe.