Effective Microorganisms at the Zoo

A zoo is a dynamic operation. Zoo's incorporate various types of animals, drinking water supplies, wastewater, water recycling systems, turf, flowers, trees, solid wastes, restaurants, sanitation facilities, and veterinary clinics.

EM-1^® offers applications for all facets of these operations.

Animal exhibits can be washed down with EM-1^® for waste treatment, odor control, and fly control.
Water exhibits require recycling systems to keep levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) up, water clarity, lower sludge and BOD, etc.
Keep wastes and costs of recharge water down.
Larger animals' wastes are often composted and utilized on site as fertilizer and mulch for application to the grounds.

The most successful zoo in the United States using Effective Microorganisms&trade is the Honolulu Zoo in Hawaii. The zoo has been using EM-1^® in their exhibits since the late 1990's.

Applications

EM-1^® is loaded with antioxidants which help prevent rust and other corrosion on equipment, eliminate odors, and clean water. Using it regularly in animal exhibits will keep the equipment clean and odor and rust-free. Zoos can benefit from various application points with EM-1^® here are a few quick tips:

Animal Exhibits Odor Control
Cages: 2 ounces AEM-1^® per gallon of water. Spray minimum of 3 times per week.
Water Clarity in Tanks/Aquariums: 1 part of AEM-1^® per 10,000 parts water as a monthly maintenance.
Manure: Gather manure and bring to area to compost (see landscaping section).

Eating Establishments
Food wastes: Ferment using EM-1^® Bokashi and pickling in airtight containers for 2 weeks. The materials can then be added to worm bins, fed to animals, added to compost piles, or buried in the ground.
Kitchens: Mix a 50/50 solution of AEM-1^® and non-antibacterial soap. This solution can be mixed in water for washing counters, floors, walls, windows, refrigeration units, stoves, and carpets. Dump solution down drain to add more bacteria to they system.
Grease traps: Pour product down a common drain at a rate of 1 quart AEM-1^® per 1,000 gallons holding capacity per week.
Septic systems: Pour product down a common drain at a rate of 1 quart AEM-1^® per 1,000 gallons holding capacity per week.
Drains: Treat by pouring ¼ cup AEM-1^® per main drain 2-3 times per week to eliminate back odors and keep drains flowing without backups.

Landscaping & Operations
Plantings: Inject AEM-1^® into irrigation system at a rate of 5 gallons per acre. This can be done 4-8 times a year depending on climate.
Manures and Compost: As loading manure into compost pile, spray with a 4-ounce/gallon mixture of AEM-1^® and water. Mound and cover with a tarp. Turn pile once per week for 4-6 weeks. There should be no ammonia or sulfur smells. As weeds sprout, turn them in. Pile should be ready to use as mulch in 6 weeks. Or, the materials can be buried (be sure to cover with 8 or more inches of soil to keep weeds from sprouting) in trenches after 4 weeks.
Water Features: 32oz AEM-1^® per 10,000 gallons of water per week to keep water clear and odor-free.

Veterinary Clinic
Clinic: Spray down floors and cages, wash counters and tables, windows, etc., with a solution of 1-3 ounces AEM-1^® per gallon of water. Mop floors with ½ cup AEM-1^® in mop water.
Litter: Use a 50/50 mix of EM-1^® Bokashi and litter or 100% EM-1^® Bokashi for litter. If 100%, the litter can be used as a mulch and fertilizer for ornamental plantings by landscaping department.

Building Maintenance
Restrooms: AEM-1^® can be used to keep all bathrooms clean and odor-free. Mix ½ cup in mop bucket water for washing floors, stalls, tiled surfaces, windows and mirrors.
General Purpose Cleaning: Mix a 50/50 solution of AEM-1^® and non-antibacterial soap. This solution can be mixed in water for washing counters, floors, walls, windows, and carpets.
Indoor Plants: Use ¼ oz of AEM-1^® per gallon of water to wash plants. Use 1 teaspoon AEM-1^® per gallon of water to water plants.

Ingredients

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
Microorganisms: 1 million colony forming units/cc (units/ml), 1%: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhodopseudomonas palustris.

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
96% Water and 3% Molasses

OMRI Listing

MSDS

EM-1^® (Effective Microorganisms™) Microbial Inoculant: Agriculture

PREPARED: 09/01/06

PRODUCT NAME: EM-1^® Microbial Inoculant

PRODUCED BY:
EMRO USA, Inc. dba EMRO USA Effective Microorganisms
2440 N. Coyote Drive Suite 126
Tucson, AZ 85745
Phone: (520) 792-3143 Fax: (928) 563-1037>

SECTION I - PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
GENERAL OR GENERIC NAME: Liquid Microbial Inoculant
HAZARD RATING:
HEALTH - 0 Normal Material
FIRE - 0 Will not burn
REACTIVITY - 0 Stable

SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
If present, carcinogens and chemicals subject to reporting are identified in this section:

INGREDIENTS %(By Volume) Note

No hazardous ingredients present; not hazardous to humans, animals or plants.

SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA
BOILING POINT: >100 °C
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.2 (25°c)
VAPOR PRESSURE: N/D
SOLUBILITY IN WATER: Complete
VAPOR DENSITY: Air = 1
MELTING POINT: N/A
% VOLATILE BY VOLUME: 0
EVAPORATION RATE: Equal to water
APPERANCE AND ODOR: Brown liquid; mild
pH OF SOLUTION: 3.5

SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION INFORMATION
FLASH POINT: N/A
EXPLOSION LIMIT: 0
EXTINGUISHING: N/A
FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: N/A
SPECIAL FIRE & EXPLOSION HAZARDS: None
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION BYPRODUCTS: None

SECTION V - HEALTH HAZARD DATA
HEALTH HAZARDS: None
CARCINOGENICITY: Non-carcinogenic
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE: None
PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVEL: None; see Section II
PRIMARY ROUTES OF ENTRY: Skin contact, Eye contact, Ingestion, Inhalation
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE:
SKIN - None
EYES - May cause eye irritation
INHALATION - None
INGESTION - May cause gas

FIRST AID:
IF ON SKIN - None
IF ON EYES - Flush with fresh water
IF INHALED - None
IF INGESTED - Drink fresh water

SECTION VI - REACTIVITY DATA
INCOMPATIBILITY: None
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Will not occur
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION OR BYPRODUCTS: None; biodegradable
STABILITY: Stable, not effected by freezing. No toxic fumes.

SECTION VII - SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES
IN CASE OF LEAK OR SPILL: Mop up with fresh water, sewer disposal
WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: Sewer disposal
HANDLING AND STORING PRECAUTIONS: Store at room temperature
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Not recommended for human consumption

SECTION VIII - PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO BE USED
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: None
VENTILATION: None
PROTECTIVE GLOVES: Optional
EYE PROTECTION: Safety glasses recommended
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: None
WORK PRACTICES: Clean up spills immediately; floor will be slick