Potting mix, soil and even mulch contains live microbes that keep our plants healthy and happy. However, it is important to stay cautious, because what’s good for the garden may not always be good for us.
Using potting mix in the garden is extremely common for re-soiling garden beds, adding top-ups to pot plants, and general gardening needs. While fresh potting soil is great for plants, it can actually be quite damaging to gardeners themselves if the proper precautions aren’t taken.
Last year, NSW Health Executive Director Dr Jeremy McAnulty spoke to 9News and urged gardeners to read and follow the manufacturer’s warnings on bagged potting mix. These warnings often include wearing a mask, gloves and other protective wear when handling soil.
But why is this the case?
The problem lies not in the soil itself, but in the specific bacteria, it can carry. This bacteria is called Legionella and can cause the severe illness Legionnaires’ disease.
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease or Legionellosis is an illness that affects the lungs. As the Australian Government Department of Health describes it, Legionnaires’ disease is is “an uncommon severe and sometimes life-threatening form of pneumonia, or lung inflammation caused by Legionella bacteria”.
Legionella bacteria actually comes in two different strains:
- Legionella longbeachae. This can be found in bagged potting mixes, compost, mulches, and bulk soil supplies.
- Legionella pneumophila. This is most commonly found in air conditioning cooling towers, whirlpool spas, shower heads and water.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, chills, a cough, shortness of breath, aching muscles, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite and diarrhoea.
How do you contract Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is not a common illness, but when it is contracted, it is most commonly by direct contact with potting soil. This is because of the Legionella bacteria can be present in potting mix.
You cannot get Legionnaires’ disease from merely touching soil, instead, it can occur when a person breathes in water droplets or dust.
It is important to remember that when simply tending to your garden, or playing in the garden, you are not at high risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease. It is laying down and distribution of soil from bagged potting mix where you should take extra precautions.
Protecting yourself from this bacteria is imperative when handling soil, just in case it is present within the bag of potting mix you’re using.
How do you protect yourself from potting mix?
Bags of potting mix will always have safety precautions and recommended steps to take when using the soil. However, it is better to be overly safe than to risk bacterial exposure. When using potting mix in the garden it is recommended to:
- Wet down potting mix before use to reduce dust.
- Open bags of potting soil slowly and away from the face.
- When distributing soil, wear tight-fitting gloves and a well-fitting disposable mask on the face.
- Make sure your work area is well-ventilated if you are indoors or within a garden shed.
- For storage, keep your potting mix in a cool area away from direct sunlight. This will reduce possible bacterial growth.
- After handling potting mis, always wash your hands and any areas that were exposed to the soil.
- If you receive a cut or graze, clean and cover the broken skin with a dry dressing.
- Wash your gardening clothes regularly.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can develop from 2 to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria.
If you are feeling unwell or develop a flu-like illness, it is recommended by health professionals to see a doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are essential to reduce the effects of the illness.
You may also like:
This is the best soil for your vegetable garden
How to improve the quality of your soil
Why your veggie garden could be toxic
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