In article ,
Michael Bell writes:
|
| This is an acute form of "farmer's lung", well described in the
| literature. But usually it is a "chronic" illness, slowly progressing,
| causing increasing breathlessness. This acute form is very rare.

Yes.

| A FAR GREATER DANGER is the "Confined space" danger. Living plant
| material (eg. grain in silos) OR rotting plant material (the fungi are
| living) use up oxygen and give out carbon dioxide (well, we animals do
| the same in our breathing) and if there is inadequate ventilation a
| person may be suffocated. The warning signs may be mistaken for
| breathlessness caused by exertion and loss of conciousness is very
| sudden.
|
| It KILLS.
|
| It used to be my trade. Be wary of large amounts of plant material in
| unventilated spaces. Good ventilation, a large fan or the wind blowing
| THROUGH the space (not just ACROSS the opening) are strong safeguards.
|
| TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.

Er, maybe. Or maybe not. Yes, in commercial contexts, that is a
serious danger - as can be inflammable dust (such as flour or even
grain residue), which can form an explosive mixture in air. Or,
indeed, organic matter rotting anaerobically (e.g. under water) and
ventilating into an enclosed area - that gives off methane, which
again forms an explosive mixture with air.

However, it is fairly rare for a private (domestic) gardener
to have somewhere that makes those effects important. Almost all
sheds and similar have a massive amount of ventilation relative to
their volume. After all, it is the frequency of air changes that
is the criterion.

The only significant counter-example I can think of is if someone
uses an old air raid shelter, cellar or similar for making compost
or growing mushrooms. Now, THERE, your warning makes a lot of sense.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.