As inexperienced thumb Aussies get again to the backyard for the nice and cozy Spring climate, well being consultants are elevating pink flags that some easy backyard merchandise will be lethal if dealt with with out care.
NSW Health warned this week legionnaires illness, through which legionella micro organism enters the lungs with doubtlessly deadly penalties, stays a menace to gardeners.
Legionella is a naturally occurring micro organism present in widespread soil merchandise offered at main retailers resembling mulch, potting combine, backyard soil, compost, leaf litter and animal manure.
An individual will be contaminated with Legionnaires’ illness by inhaling contaminated mud from these merchandise.
Symptoms of legionnaires embody fever, chills, a cough, shortness of breath, aching muscle mass, headache, tiredness, lack of urge for food and diarrhoea.
It can develop as much as 10 days after publicity to the micro organism and may result in loss of life in uncommon circumstances.
Most individuals who breathe within the micro organism don’t turn into unwell, however the danger of an infection will increase for the aged, for people who smoke or for these with weakened immune techniques.
There have been 54 circumstances of the illness attributable to inhaling micro organism from potting combine and soil in NSW this 12 months.
In November 2022, a Sydney lady aged in her 60s died from the illness after utilizing potting combine.
It is believed the lady breathed within the micro organism whereas gardening, main her to fall sick with a lung an infection.
Queensland Health has reported 27 circumstances to this point this 12 months.
Bunnings director of merchandise Jen Tucker mentioned individuals working in gardens or outside might take a variety of security precautions to minimise their danger of contracting the illness.
“This includes always wearing gloves and a dust mask, wetting potting mixes, composts or mulches before handling them and thoroughly washing your hands afterwards, especially before eating or drinking,” she mentioned.
“It’s also a good idea to store any bagged garden materials out of the sun to prevent it getting too dry.
“As with all products, we always recommend customers carefully follow the advice and instructions on the product label.”
According to Bunnings, all manufactured potting mixes and different backyard matter which are composted endure a naturally occurring heating part which kills most micro organism like legionella and most potting mixes offered all through Bunnings’ Australian retailer community are composted.
But legionella will be present in non-composted merchandise or potting combine.
A Queensland Health spokesman mentioned publicity might be minimised by wetting down potting combine to cut back mud, dealing with potting combine and compost in well-ventilated areas, carrying gloves and a category P2 mud masks when utilizing potting combine, washing fingers after dealing with potting combine or soil and following a producers’ warnings on potting combine labels.
Originally revealed as Explained: How to keep away from the lethal legionnaires illness
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
