I went out to pick up some Milorganite. Took a close look at the bag and found some disturbing information. First: On the bottom of the bag “Manufactured by: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District, 260 W. Seeboth St., Milwaukee, WI 53204.” Next: In the area where it says 6-4-0 Guaranteed Analysis “Derived from Biosolids, 4.0% Nitrogen Derived from Biosolids.” I’m pretty sure, based on the manufacturer, that biosolids are...well...turds. Lastly: In the big paragraph on the back that starts with Growing Beautiful Lawns, Trees, Shrubs and Flowers since 1926 “WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.” Kind of scary. I did not buy it.
Is it poop in a bag?
No. It’s been a common misconception that Milorganite is “poop in a bag.” Milorganite is composed of microbes that have eaten well, died, and been dried. Microbes eat the organic material found in wastewater, die when they have nothing else to eat, and are heat-dried at temperatures up to 1200⁰F. Milorganite complies with all applicable federal and state requirements. It’s safe to use throughout your yard and garden when used as directed.
What is a biosolid?
Biosolids are residual microbes that have digested nutrients out of sewage waste streams. The EPA regulates biosolids using two tiers: tier one allows non-food use and tier two, the Exceptional Quality designation, allows use on vegetables and fruits and is given to biosolids with minuscule amounts of heavy metals and pathogens. Milorganite has consistently received Exceptional Quality designation from the EPA since the guidelines were created in 1993.
I see that stupid California warning on all kinds of things. I think they put that on anything that has detectable (but harmless) amounts of certain chemicals. Also, the way that warning reads in some places, it sounds like it's only harmful in California.
What the hell did you think Milorganite is?
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California
Blah, blah, blah. Pretty much EVERYTHING in the KNOWN UNIVERSE contains chemicals known to the State of California etc. ad nauseaum.