If you are a casual, conservative composter, don't do it!
However, if you are big time, aggressive, hot composter like myself, it doesn't matter. Go for it! If you get enough aeration, high nitrogen materials, and microbial action going in compost to get internal temperatures above 130 degrees F, it will digest and break down any potentially harmful biodegradeable pathogens or toxins in the decomposing organic matter.
Besides, whatever is leftover in the mature compost gets further digested by earthworms and even more microbes!
I'm no expert, but worked for a newspaper in Iowa for about 6 years. As I understand it, the new soy inks (derived from soybeans) are non-toxic and shouldn't present the lead problem of older, color inks. I use the colored newspaper in my compost pile (is there any weeklies or dailies that are not color now?) and haven't died yet! Let me know if anyone out there has heard anything to the contrary. PH
Agree a little. Disagree a little. (How's that for diplomacy?) B-)
An old book on composting called "Let It Rot" by Stu Campbell says that the older inks which were used were [u]carbon black inks[/u] and contained "polycyclicaromatic hyrdocarbons" [/i]"Whew!"[/i] or PAHs. Known carcinogens.
Most newspapers, as phbalanced says, now have switched to soy (vegetable) dyes, even in their colored newsprints and no longer contain the heavy metals. But (and this is where I bow to the Captain) to be on the safe side, even most Extension Agencies will recommend contacting the individual newspapers [that you're using] and ask what kind of ink and/or vegetable dyes they use. IOW,"When in doubt....Do without!"
And remember also....NEVER use any glossy, or advertising inserts. They come from outside [the newspaper] sources and may still contain toxic, heavy metals.
gardenz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "To Live Is Not Just To Survive, But To Thrive With Passion, Compassion, Humor & Style." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Blogs: GardenzOwn OurGardenEarth
Posts: 2516 | Location: Linda in N.J./Zones 7 & "Twilight" | Registered: February 11, 2002
Contact the publication to find out what kind of ink they use? I work in the graphics industry, and no offense to the few intelligent people out there, but the chance of talking to someone that can answer a technical question like that is something like winning the lottery.
Take the easy road. Like gardenz says, when in doubt, do without.
