Change in Milorganite Label

For many years Milorganite, a biosolid fertilizer product, has had warnings on its label not to use the product on food crops. The reason for this labeling was because Milorganite and other biosolid fertilizers had high labels of cadmium, which could cause health problems.

In the 1980's laws were put into effect on industries requiring them to reduce the amount of heavy metals and cadmium they discharge into their wastewater. Because of these restrictions, levels of heavy metals in Milorganite have dropped significantly. In 1993, after 15 years of testing, EPA has set the limits on the concentration of heavy metals in biosolid fertilizers like Milorganite. Milorganite has levels below those limits and does not pose a risk to the environment or human health and is safe to use on vegetable gardens. In 1994 the label was changed to include food crops.

For those of you who have been using Milorganite on your lawn and flowers, you can now include your vegetable garden as well.



This article originally appeared in the June 9, 1995 issue, p. 83.

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