mortality disposal and its implications on human, animal and environmental health
DESCRIPTION
http://www.extension.org/67572 With disease issues, the decline of the rendering industry, a ban on use of downer cows for food, and rules to halt horse slaughter, environmentally safe and sound practices for disposal of horses and other livestock mortalities are limited. Improper disposal of carcasses containing veterinary drugs has resulted in the death of domestic animals and wildlife. Composting of carcasses has been performed successfully to reduce pathogens, nutrient release, and biosecurity risks. However, there is concern that drugs used in the livestock industry, as feed additives and veterinary therapies do not degrade readily and will persist in compost or leachate, threatening environmental exposure to wildlife, domestic animals and humans. Two classes of drugs commonly used in the livestock and horse industries include barbiturates for euthanasia and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for relief of pain and inflammation. Sodium pentobarbital (a barbiturate) and phenylbutazone (an NSAID) concentrations in liver, compost, effluent and leachate were analyzed in two separate horse carcass compost piles in two separate years. Horse liver samples were also buried in 3 feet of loose soil in the first year and drug concentrations were assessed over time.TRANSCRIPT
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Mortality Disposal and its Implications on Human, Animal and Environmental Health
Cornell Waste Management Institute cwmi.css.cornell.edu
Jean Bonhotal
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Disposal Methods
As carcass disposal options become limited, it is important that the disposal tools implemented
protect human, livestock and environmental health.
BurialContract for ServicesCompostingDigestionIncinerate/ Landfill
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Disposal Processes & Environmental Implications
Water- Nutrients BOD Pathogens
Soil- Nutrients Pathogens
Air- Odor Emissions
Traffic-Noise
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Burial Pit
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Three Research Projects
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Burial Leachate Quality during Composting
Fate of Drugs in Composting
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Burial Study•Dimensions are 30’ wide by 15’ deep with 3--54” containment walls •The pad has a 1% slope to the west wall with four 4” pipes incorporated for draining leachate toward a vegetated filter strip. • Very little carbon was used, and the containment was packed with carcasses.
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C:N Ratio, Number of Animals, Good Cover
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Run-Off from Burial
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Leachate Quality Results:Burial
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Date TKN (mg/l)
NH4-N (mg/l)
P (mg/l) BOD (mg/l)
TOC (mg/l)
06/02/08 3,300 1,100 70 4,700 7,700
09/29/08 640 52 930 4,600
10/02/08 6,000 4,200 440 21,000 740
11/12/08 3,000 1,800 92 3,500 8,100
Date pH NO3-N (mg/l)
Chloride (mg/l)
Fecal Coliform (log10 cfu/ml)
06/02/08 7.9 3.8 1,900 3.0
09/29/08 8.4 15.0 2,300 < 2.0
10/02/08 6.4 31.0 710 > 3.0
11/12/08 8.3 16.6 2,000 < 2.0
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Compost Leachate Quality Assessment Study
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2- 15’ x 8’ rectangles were marked out; holes were drilled at the point of collection and 5-gallon buckets lined with garbage bags were placed in each hole.
Plots were curbed with wooden and steel beams that were 6” tall.
Heavy 6 mil black plastic was used to line the plots.
24” base layer of woodchips was laid in each of the plots
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Leachate Quality Assessment Study
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Two deer were placed on the woodchips as the first layer in the plot on the west end. The plot on the east end was “woodchips only”.
Data logger temperature probes were placed in both piles.
Riverhead, NY – Blue and Green funding
12” of woodchips were laid on top to cover the first deer layer
2 more deer were placed in the 2nd layer in the road-kill pile.
Both piles were covered with an additional 24” of woodchips.
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Leachate Quality Results:Road-kill Compost versus Woodchips Only
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TKN (mg/l) NH4-N (mg/l)
P (mg/l) BOD (mg/l) TOC (mg/l)
Date Deer Chips Deer Chips Deer Chips Deer Chips Deer Chips
04/14/08 703 36 213 11 44 10 4,067
487 1,733
373
04/29/08 75 7 38 1 17 1 333 48 230 36
05/19/08 14 13 3 2 3 2 27 24 95 163
06/06/08 32 16 9 5 6 2 101 47 177 17
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Comparison of Nitrogen (TKN) in Mortality Compost and Burial
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Compost Burial
X-axis is 10 times the order of magnitude here versus the compost.
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Fate of Drugs Study
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A 20’ x 21’ piece of 10 mil plastic sheeting was laid down. A hole was dug at the low end of the pad, under the plastic for leachate/runoff collection.
A 24” bed of wood chips was laid on the plastic.
A 27 year old 1000 lb Appaloosa was injected with 120 ml Fatal Plus at 390 mg/ml Pentobarbital Sodium.
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Fate of Drugs Study
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The liver was removed, cut into pieces and put back in the horse for retrieval at various intervals.
A separate 4 foot hole was dug in which liver samples were placed to simulate burial.
Data logger temperature probes were placed in both the compost pile and in the “burial hole” to record hourly temperature.
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Fate of Drugs Study
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The horse was then covered with 24” of wood chips, and the plastic liner was tightened by rolling it over and under wooden fence posts.
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Temperature and Rainfall
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Pentobarbital (ppm) in Liver Samples
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Decay rate of pentobarbital:In the pile – 2.2% per dayIn the burial hole – 18.4% per day
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Pentobarbital in Leachate
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Decay rate of pentobarbital: 20% per day
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3 7 10 14 17 30 560
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Rump
Head
All Leachate
Pentobarbital Levels in Leachate
ppm
Days
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Horse pile opened after 7 months of composting
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Mortality CompostingWhen done properly, mortality composting protects ground and surface water.
Composting of euthanized livestock appears to breakdown both pentobarbital and phenylbutazone, thus rendering the finished product safe for wildlife and domestic animals.
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Composting, Done Properly, is Safe for Humans, Animals and the Environment
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Make sure you are not close to wells, streams, water bodies. Check depth to groundwater. Look for plants that indicate wet areas.
SITE SELECTION CARBON SOURCES
Not all carbon sources are created equal.
Carbon sources include: Wood Chips, Shavings, Sawdust, Refused feed, Spoiled Silage, Chopped Cornstalk, Nut Hulls, Partially Composted Material-HOT
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Mortality Composting Steps
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Lay 24-in bed of bulky, absorbing organic material containing some sizeable pieces. Place animal in the center of the bed.
Lance the rumen
Cover the carcass with dry, high-carbon material.
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This method allows for good aeration which creates high temperatures, destroys pathogens and creates
a biofilter to alleviate odors.
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Some Best Management Practices: Ground and Surface Water Protection
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Filter StripsCompost Berms and SocksBerms for Diversion Off-siteGrading/ Slope 1-2%Collection LagoonsCollection TanksSite Maintenance
LAGOONBERM
MOWED SITE
COMPOST BERM
Photo by Bob Rynk
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Large, Poorly-Shaped Piles are NOT Efficient
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Hydro-seed with Road Kill Compost/Soil Mix
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Questions?
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