DANGEROUS - EVEN LETHAL - BACTERIA FOUND IN COMPOST FOR GARDENING

Could your compost kill you? Bacteria that can cause disease in humans - and even kill - is present in bags of organic material. 

 

DAILY  MAIL - Bags of compost sold in the UK may be a significant source of Legionella bacteria, including strains that cause human disease, scientists have said.

 

Tests on 22 brands of compost available in the UK found that 14 contained a variety of Legionella bugs.

 

Any environment where you have pathogenic bacteria could be a source of infection, and we already know that compost has been linked to human Legionella infection in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

 

Legionella longbeachae can be found in potting mixes, compost heaps and composted animal manures.

How Legionella longbeachae are spread is uncertain.

The bacteria may be breathed in or spread from hand to mouth.

Legionella longbeachae can remain on hands contaminated by handling potting mix for periods of up to one hour and can be removed by washing.

It cannot be spread person-to-person

To minimise the risk of infection when handling potting mix, gardeners should:

• Wear a face mask
• Open bags with care to avoid inhalation of airborne potting mix
•  
  Moisten the contents to avoid creating dust
•  
  Always wear gloves to avoid transferring the potting mix from hand to mouth
• Always wash hands after handling potting mix - even if gloves had been worn.

Source - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2440183/Dangerous-bacteria-present-compost.html

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