eeat yearbook and directory 2006
Thongchai Panswad
Honorary Advisor, Environmental Engineering Association of Thailand.
and
Pranee Pantumsinchai
President, Environmental Engineering Association of Thailand.
How Effective
are Effective
Microorganisms
(EM)?
What are EM?
EM or Effective Microorganisms is a trade name coined in
1994 by Professor Teruo Higa, PhD, of the Agricultural Univer-
sity of Okinawa, Japan. There are many types of microorgan-
isms in EM which fall into three main categories, namely,
1. lactobacillus,
2. actenomycetase,
3. photosynthetic bacteria.
Various combinations of microorganisms are claimed by EM
proponents to suit each application, such as listed below and
in Figure 1.
- soil improvement,
- wastewater purification, and canal water quality im-
provement
- garbage decomposition,
- rice growing,
- fruit tree growing,
- sludge treatment,
- edible for good health,
- concrete strength improvement, etc.
EM technology is ambitiously promoted as a means of
solving many of the world’s problems, with amazing (almost
unbelievable) applications for agricultural, environmental,
and medical problems. It is claimed that EM technology can
transform kitchen garbage into fertilizer, make drinkable wa-
ter from polluted water, and even cure illnesses.
Although the concept of using microorganisms to treat
waste is not new, the word EM has become widely known
throughout Asia, South and North America, Europe and
Africa. There is a yearly International Conference on EM.
Thailand has also become the EM Information Center for
Southeast Asia with partial monetary support from the Japa-
nese counterpart. According to the EM group, only true EM
from the EM official outlets may be called EM, others should
be called just bio-extracts.
Why the Fuss?
Although EM have been widely known and used since
43
1994, the mechanisms of their effectiveness are not well ex-
plained or understood. Hence, the academic circle is still very
skeptical of EM technology. They argue that, if EM are micro-
organisms found in nature, they should be able to multiply
naturally just like any other bio-extracts already being used.
Why the need to continually add new EM seeds, which can
only be purchased from the registered EM outlets? Dominant
microorganisms extracted from nature should be very effec-
tive in their environment and should continue to perform
well without dying off, as claimed when new EM seeds are not
added.
Activated sludge, a well-known process used for treating
wastewater for over 100 years, can be viewed as using recycled
bio-extracts from the process to keep the process going under
the controlled treatment conditions. Garbage composting is
another common natural process, especially for food waste,
without having to add the particular EM seeds.
EM are also claimed to be able to cure cancer and other
illnesses, add strength to concrete, prevent hair loss and gray-
ing, reduce electricity usage, disinfect, reduce odors, and treat
air pollution, etc., adding to the skepticism.
What are EM Mechanisms ?
As academics struggle to understand EM mechanisms, EM
applications are being widely promoted, first from laymen
and now from several Thai government institutions, such as,
the National Housing Authority, the Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration (BMA), the army, and recently by rescue work-
ers as an odor-reducing means in the wake of the Tsunami
disaster.
But how do EM work? Professor Higa explained that EM
are “good” microorganisms, which are found and extracted
from nature, by using molasses as carbon source under an-
aerobic conditions at pH below 3 for 7 days. The anaerobic
digestion process is believed to produce volatile fatty acids
and increase the number of microorganisms and enzymes,
as well as anti-oxidants. The anti-oxidants are very effective
against oxidation and reduce the production of free radicals,
 44
which cause the deterioration of nature as well as human
organs. Therefore, adding EM can increase the “good” micro-
organisms to combat the “bad” microorganisms, which the
EM group believes proliferate well in polluted environment.
Since the present natural environment is so deteriorated,
more and more EM always needs to be added to keep up these
advantages and eventually win the battle. How much more?
It depends…
There are several suggested ways EM may be added, as fol-
lows.
- original EM seeds may be used directly.
- EM may be expanded from the original EM seeds, but this
can only be done under strict directions and for only 2 times,
before new EM seeds are required to be purchased from the
official EM outlets.
- put into cakes or solid form for pond bottom application
- produce as Bogashi, a high sugar, low pH liquid, rich
with nutrients and EM seeds.
- produce liquid bio-extracts from vegetable, fruits, or cow
manure with EM seeds.
Many scientific observations may offer some explanations,
such as listed below and in Figure 2.
- EM use molasses as carbon source to multiply.
- Zeolite is added perhaps as coagulant aid to promote
biological flocculation. Thereby, sedimentation can occur at a
more rapid rate, resulting in noticeably clearer water.
- The increased amount of microorganisms also increases
the rate of organic decomposition.
- The readily biodegradable COD of volatile fatty acids
generated from the production process may cause co-me-
tabolism, which increases the rate of decomposition of other
complex organic substances or fats.
eeat yearbook and directory 2006
- The generated enzymes may help hydrolyze organic sub-
stances, thereby increasing the rate of organic decomposition.
- The presence of anti-oxidants in EM may reduce oxida-
tion rate and the deterioration rate in the environment.
- When EM are used for soil improvement, there is no need
to add other nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium. EM can simply aid the plants in using those nutri-
ents already present.
- What about the photosynthetic bacteria in EM? We are
still uncertain about that. The combination of many types
of microorganisms in EM can somehow bring about certain
results. EM are claimed to have over 100 types of microorgan-
isms.
What to do now?
Prevalent use of EM in Thailand has been a concern to
the professional engineering society. If EM can really be used
effectively for all waste treatment and more, maybe it is time
some scientific explanation should be offered. The Envi-
ronmental Engineering Association of Thailand (EEAT) has
conducted a round table discussion with various stakeholders
and the Pollution Control Department (PCD). It was con-
cluded that research into the possible EM mechanisms should
be conducted to compare EM effectiveness with other home-
made bio-extracts. EEAT has proposed that research funds be
obtained through various channels. Many minor sponsors,
such as the PCD and the BMA, are also sought for research
support.
If EM are truly effective and economical, this could lead to
a real revolution of agricultural, environmental, and medical
practices.
Keep your fingers crossed.