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Minimum Metal Concentrations

Metals in Fertilizers Federal, state and industry sponsored risk-based assessments have been completed and the results demonstrate that metals in fertilizer generally do not pose harm to human health or the environment. Except as otherwise provided below, as a guide for implementation of Section 13(a) of the Uniform State Fertilizer Bill, fertilizers that contain guaranteed amounts of phosphates and/or micronutrients are adulterated when they contain metals in amounts greater than the levels of metals established by the following table:

To use the Table chose one of the following three situations.

 

  1. Fertilizers with a phosphate guarantee; but, no micronutrient guarantee:
    Multiply the percent guaranteed P2O5 in the product by the values in the table to obtain the maximum allowable concentration of each metal. The minimum value for P2O5 utilized as a multiplier shall be 6.0.

  2. Fertilizers with one or more micronutrient guarantees; but, no phosphate guarantee:
    Multiply the sum of the guaranteed percentages of all micronutrients (as defined by AAPFCO's Official Fertilizer Term, T-9) in the product by the value in the appropriate column in the Table to obtain the maximum allowable concentration (ppm) of each metal. The minimum value for micronutrients utilized as a multiplier shall be 1.

  3. Fertilizers with both a phosphate and a micronutrient guarantee:
    a. Multiply the guaranteed percent P2O5 by the value in the appropriate column. The minimum value for P2O5 utilized as a multiplier shall be 6.0. Then,
    b. Multiply the sum of the guaranteed percentages of the micronutrients by the value in the appropriate column. The minimum value for micronutrients utilized as a multiplier shall be 1. Then,
    c. Utilize the higher of the two resulting values as the maximum allowable concentration (ppm) of each metal.

 

Biosolids and all Compost Products

Biosolids, and all compost products, shall be adulterated when they exceed the levels of metals permitted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Code of  Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 503. Dried biosolids and manure, as well as manipulated manure products either separately or in combination, shall also be deemed adulterated when they exceed the levels of metal permitted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 503. Hazardous waste derived fertilizers (as defined by EPA) shall be adulterated when they exceed the levels of metals permitted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Parts 261, 266 and 268.

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