title: Evaluation of physical coverings used to control Escherichia coli O157:H7 at the compost heap surface.
abstract: Throughout four field trials, compost heaps covered with finished compost maintained temperatures under the physical covering that were ca. 7 to 15.5°C higher, resulting in rapid Escherichia coli O157:H7 reduction, than those of the heaps covered with fresh straw or left uncovered. Our results validated recommendations made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for covering fresh compost.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0314, USA.
authors.forename: Marion W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: Jinkyung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Xiuping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Marilyn C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000382:microbiology; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000254:growth & development*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008372:Manure; D050296:Microbial Viability; D012987:Soil; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D008372:Manure; D012987:Soil