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  • From: "Mark Angermayer" <hangermayer@isp.com>
  • To: <dmnorton@royaloakfarmorchard.com>, "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Weed prevention idea
  • Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:28:28 -0600

I'm a little confused over this idea about toxic chemicals in newspaper ink.
I understand some inks are petroleum based, and that doesn't bother me. I'd
think any leachates from the tiny amount of ink would be insignificant
compared to other petroleum based products we put on the land (i.e. asphalt,
roof tar from shingles, car emissions). But the idea of heavy metals
doesn't sound good. I once read a response about heavy metals are in
newspaper ink. The author pointed out that there would be much more concern
over reading the newspaper vs. composting it, if there were heavy metals
(the ink gets all over your hands). This seems to make sense to me. I
would think putting even small amount of heavy metals, or carcinogen, in
newspaper ink would be a big legal liability. However, I continue to hear
the possible that newspaper ink could contain toxic materials. Does anyone
out there have a definitive answer?

Mark
KS
----- Original Message -----
From: <Dennis Norton>
To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Weed prevention idea


> I was curious about the fact that newspaper ink could be toxic and in my
> research found the following:Here's what "Weblife: Humanure Handbook" has
to
> say:
>
> "Yes, newspaper will compost, but there are some concerns about
> newsprint. For one, the glossy pages are covered with a clay that
> retards composting. For another, the inks can be petroleum-based
> solvents or oils with pigments containing toxic substances such as
> chromium, lead and cadmium in both black and colored inks. Pigment for
> newspaper ink still comes from benzene, toluene, naphthalene, and
> other benzene ring hydrocarbons which may be quite harmful to human
> health if accumulated in the food chain. Fortunately, quite a few
> newspapers today are using soy-based inks instead of petroleum-based
> inks. If you really want to know about the type of ink in your
> newspaper, call your newspaper office and ask them. Otherwise, keep
> the glossy paper or colored pages in your compost to a minimum.
> Remember, ideally, compost is being made to use for producing human
> food. One should try to keep the contaminants out of it, if possible.
>
> "Wood's End Laboratory in Maine did some research on composting ground
> up telephone books and newsprint, which had been used as bedding for
> dairy cattle. The ink in the paper contained common cancer-causing
> chemicals, but after composting it with dairy cow manure, the
> dangerous chemicals were reduced by 98%.92 So it appears that if
> you're using shredded newspaper for bedding under livestock, you
> should compost it, if for no other reason than to eliminate some of
> the toxic elements from the newsprint. It'll probably make acceptable
> compost too, especially if layered with garbage, manure, and other
> organic materials."
> ( http://www.weblife.org/humanure/chapter3_12.html )
>
> And here's what the "Master Composter" site has to say:
>
> "With regard to composting newspapers with black ink, I have only
> heard one mention of controversy. Otherwise, I have found that
> composting newspapers is acceptable. (As mentioned above, it is not
> usually recommended for use in a backyard pile because of the problems
> of matting, low nutrient value and slow decomposition.) The one
> controversial source was the book "Let It Rot" by Stu Campbell. He
> says that the carbon black ink contains polycyclicaromatic
> hydrocarbons (PAH) which are a known carcinogen. Stu says
>
> "Although the jury is still out, most scientific research to date
> indicates that PAHs are rendered inert by the temperatures of a hot
> compost pile, the biological activity, and the acids in the soil. Most
> newspaper inks no longer contain heavy metals, and most colored
> newsprint now uses vegetable dyes, so as long as you don't intensively
> compost with newspapers you can use it as a carbon source."
>
> "With regard to newspapers, A Green Guide to Yard Care published by
> the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission says, "Most inks
> today are safe for garden use." To be completely safe, call your
> newspaper and ask about the ink or use compost made from newspapers on
> non-edibles like your lawn, ornamentals, flowers, and trees, rather
> than your vegetable garden.
>
> "Do NOT compost advertising inserts. Ad inserts are printed by someone
> other than the newspaper. Most companies still print inserts with
> heavy metal inks, especially the glossy ones. Some colored inks have
> heavy metals in them which, in large quantities, are toxic to
> microorganisms. Small quantities such as the occasional colored ad in
> the newspaper have negligible effects.
>
> "With society's emphasis on recycling, most newspapers have started
> using vegetable dyes for colored advertisements and the comics. (If
> your newspaper uses vegetable dyes, you can compost the comics, too.)
> Unfortunately, there is no way to be certain which dye they use by
> looking at the printed page. To make sure, call your local newspaper
> and ask them if they use vegetable dyes."
> ( http://www.mastercomposter.com/ref/orgmat4.html)
>
>
> There is an archive discussion forum which debated the topic at
> "Compost Chemical Issues"
> ( http://www.mastercomposter.com/archive/arc_chem.html#INK )Hope this
helps!
> Dennis Norton
> Royal Oak Farm Orchard
> Office (815) 648-4467
> Mobile (815) 228-2174
> Fax (609) 228-2174
> http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com
> http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com
> http://www.revivalhymn.com





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