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#1
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Compost Hazard
This is a new one on me, just goes to show how dangerous it is out there in
the garden!! "A man has died after inhaling lethal spores which grew on rotting compost in his garden. The 47-year-old fell ill less than 24 hours after being engulfed by "clouds of dust" while working with rotting tree and plant mulch. At first medics thought the previously healthy welder had pneumonia when he was admitted with severe breathing problems. But when antibiotics failed to help, tests showed evidence of Aspergillosis, a reaction to Aspergillus spores. The fungus is commonly found growing on dead leaves, stored grain, compost piles or decaying vegetation. Its spores may trigger a relatively harmless allergic reaction or a much more serious destructive infection that begins in the lungs and spreads to other parts of the body. The man's death - which followed kidney failure and treatment on a heart and lung machine - was reported in The Lancet medical journal. Doctors, led by Dr David Waghorn from Wycombe Hospital in Buckinghamshire, wrote: "Unlike most patients with acute, invasive aspergillosis, our patient did not seem to be immunosuppressed." Andy "However, smoking and welding could have damaged his lungs, increasing his vulnerability. "Since he died so quickly, we cannot exclude the possibility that he had an undetected immunodeficiency." They concluded: "Acute aspergillosis after contact with decayed plant matter is rare, but may be considered an occupational hazard for gardeners." |
#2
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Compost Hazard
In article , "Isleman" Isleman@home writes: | This is a new one on me, just goes to show how dangerous it is out there in | the garden!! | | "A man has died after inhaling lethal spores which grew on rotting compost | in his garden. | | ... | | But when antibiotics failed to help, tests showed evidence of Aspergillosis, | a reaction to Aspergillus spores. Look up "farmer's lung". It occurs only when the compost is too dry, and the relevant fungi can out-compete bacteria and other (damp condition) fungi - and can produce dry spores! It is a good idea not to be careful if woody material appears covered with dust (especially greyish dust), and dust lifts into the air when it is disturbed. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
#3
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Compost Hazard
"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... In article , "Isleman" Isleman@home writes: | This is a new one on me, just goes to show how dangerous it is out there in | the garden!! | | "A man has died after inhaling lethal spores which grew on rotting compost | in his garden. | | ... | | But when antibiotics failed to help, tests showed evidence of Aspergillosis, | a reaction to Aspergillus spores. Look up "farmer's lung". It occurs only when the compost is too dry, and the relevant fungi can out-compete bacteria and other (damp condition) fungi - and can produce dry spores! It is a good idea not to be careful if woody material appears covered with dust (especially greyish dust), and dust lifts into the air when it is disturbed. Regards, Nick Maclaren. Do you mean the "not", Nick Pete (;0) www.thecanalshop.com |
#4
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Compost Hazard
In article , "Pete Stockdale" writes: | | It is a good idea not to be careful if woody material appears covered | with dust (especially greyish dust), and dust lifts into the air when | it is disturbed. | | Do you mean the "not", Nick Er, mumble, perhaps not :-) Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
#5
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Compost Hazard
In message
"Isleman" Isleman@home wrote: This is a new one on me, just goes to show how dangerous it is out there in the garden!! "A man has died after inhaling lethal spores which grew on rotting compost in his garden. The 47-year-old fell ill less than 24 hours after being engulfed by "clouds of dust" while working with rotting tree and plant mulch. At first medics thought the previously healthy welder had pneumonia when he was admitted with severe breathing problems. But when antibiotics failed to help, tests showed evidence of Aspergillosis, a reaction to Aspergillus spores. The fungus is commonly found growing on dead leaves, stored grain, compost piles or decaying vegetation. Its spores may trigger a relatively harmless allergic reaction or a much more serious destructive infection that begins in the lungs and spreads to other parts of the body. The man's death - which followed kidney failure and treatment on a heart and lung machine - was reported in The Lancet medical journal. Doctors, led by Dr David Waghorn from Wycombe Hospital in Buckinghamshire, wrote: "Unlike most patients with acute, invasive aspergillosis, our patient did not seem to be immunosuppressed." Andy "However, smoking and welding could have damaged his lungs, increasing his vulnerability. "Since he died so quickly, we cannot exclude the possibility that he had an undetected immunodeficiency." They concluded: "Acute aspergillosis after contact with decayed plant matter is rare, but may be considered an occupational hazard for gardeners." I saw that headline on somebody else's newspaper on the Metro. At first I was doubtful as to whether the cause had been correctly reported, but after reading these details, I am convinced it has been. 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. 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. Michael Bell -- |
#6
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Compost Hazard
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. |
#7
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Compost Hazard
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