Safe gardening advice backed

Following recent cases of Legionella infection (legionellosis) in Christchurch, the Nursery and Garden Industry Association (NGIA) has endorsed Ministry of Health guidelines on safe gardening.

"Gardening is a popular pastime enjoyed by thousands of New Zealanders, helping people relax and escape the stresses of life" said Dr John Liddle of the Nursery and Garden Industry Association.

"It provides enjoyment and exercise.

"The huge growth of interest in home-grown vegetables and fruit in recent years has added to people's culinary enjoyment, and help stretched their budgets further."

Although soil is rich with living organisms beneficial to plants which generally cause no harm to animals or people, it also contains some organisms that are not beneficial.

A commonly-found type of Legionella bacterium is one of these and has been shown to cause legionnaire's disease in some people.

Dr Liddle said it could, on rare occasions, be inhaled in water vapour and in the dust associated with soil and potting mix. Not all those who come into contact with the bacteria become sick and symptoms vary from person to person. If people become infected with Legionella, they may get flu-like symptoms that can range from mild to severe.

But if people have other health concerns they may be more susceptible to the bacteria.

Those most at risk include smokers, the elderly and those with existing respiratory illnesses and weakened immune systems.

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Reduce your risk

The Ministry of Health has provided safe gardening guidelines to help reduce the risks when gardening.

The guidelines advise gardeners to:

• Minimise the amount of dust when working in the garden.

• Water gardens and indoor plants using a gentle spray.

• Read the warning label on bagged composts or potting mix.

• Wear gloves.

• Wear a dust mask so that any dust is filtered out before you can breathe it in.

• Dampen potting mixes before use. Open bags of soil products slowly, away from the face.

• Make sure the working area (glasshouse, potting shed) is well ventilated.

• See a doctor if you develop a flu-like illness which is worsening.

• Wash hands thoroughly after gardening or handling soil products.

The Ministry of Health guidelines also provide advice on garden chemicals, poisonous plants, insect stings and bites, garden machinery, injuries and being sun-smart. www.healthed.govt.nz/resources/saferandhealthiergardening.aspx

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