Worms turn human waste into compost, but parasitic eggs can survive the process

Tiger worms can turn human waste into compost, but laboratory research found that they did not destroy Ascaris eggs in faecal waste.

The parasitic eggs remained intact and capable of surviving after prolonged exposure to the worms. Researchers found that most of the eggs were concentrated in the coir layer of the biodigesters.

The findings mean that vermicompost and effluent produced by tiger worm toilets should not be treated as safe for agricultural use. Products from these systems require additional testing.