By Dave Gooselink
Canterbury's chief medical officer is calling for face masks to be supplied with potting mix after an outbreak of legionnaires disease.
At least nine people in the region have contracted the disease over the last three months from a bacteria found in bags of potting mix and compost.
Peter Berry has been gardening for years and is aware of the potential dangers of potting mix.
Dry spores of the legionella bacteria can be released when bags are opened, but he admits most people do not follow the warnings on the packets.
“Unfortunately, I think a lot of gardeners ignore it,” says Mr Berry. “But I really do think that they should be looking closely now at it because it is an awful disease you can get.”
Nine cases of Legionnaires disease have been reported in Canterbury over the summer period, and one of those people has died.
The region's chief medical officer is calling for face masks to be included with potting mix sold.
“Attaching a mask to the bag, or giving a mask away when a bag is sold, is something that will actually help them think about it first of all,” says Dr Alistair Humphrey. “It will alert them to the problem.”
This landscape supplier says in 20 years of operation it has never had any problems with staff or customers.
The business offers masks to its workers, but they choose not to wear them. However, manager Phil Wylie agrees potting mix should be handled carefully.
“All of our bag products that we sell definitely have a warning label on them about the appropriate use and handling,” says Mr Wylie. “And I think as long as people are adhering to those, then they can really minimise any risk.”
It is not just a problem in Canterbury; Auckland has had a similar number of cases this summer.
However, it is not a good look for the Garden City.
“I’m not suggesting we wear masks all the time when we do our gardening, but there will be key times when the sue of a mask could save your life,” explains Dr Humphrey.
And with two Legionnaires victims still in intensive care in Christchurch Hospital, he is hoping gardeners will heed the warnings.
3 News