AN EMOTIONAL appeal for stronger warnings about the dangers of compost has been made by the widow of a man who died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease.
Andrew Murphy was the first Scot known to have contracted the disease from compost and died of leukaemia last year after his immune system was critically weakened by Legionnaires’.
The grandfather from Lanarkshire fell ill in 2008 after using a bag of compost to plant tomatoes while his four-year-old granddaughter watched. Within two days he was so ill he was admitted to hospital where he spent fifty days in intensive care. Tests later showed he had contracted Legionnaires’ disease from the compost.
His widow Margaret said she was in shock when she found out the source was compost and called yesterday for stronger warning labels.
“I would not want another family to have to go through what we’ve gone through,” she said. “It doesn’t cost a lot but nobody’s listening. That just upsets me.”
Compost bags in New Zealand and Australia have carried specific warnings about the dangers of infection from Legionnaire’s disease since 2003. However, bags in Scotland usually only warn people to wear gloves while using the compost then wash their hands afterwards.
This is despite the fact that cases of Legionella longbeachae, the strain of the disease linked with compost, have been rising in Scotland in recent years.
Five cases of Legionnaires’ linked to compost were identified in the Lothians and Tayside in 2013.
Legionella longbeachae is common in New Zealand and Australia and it is thought the rise of it here could be a result of bark products replacing peat in compost for environmental reasons.
A study two years ago by Strathclyde University tested 22 brands of compost on sale in the UK and found a variety of the Legionella species in 14, with four containing Legionella longbeachae.
The researchers warned then that a larger survey was needed to find the true extent of the contamination and recommended that manufacturers consider adding specific warnings to compost bags.
“The occurrence of these bacteria in composts in Australia and New Zealand, and the cases of infection that have been traced to compost, has resulted in hygiene warnings on compost packaging in these countries, and this is something manufacturers in the UK may wish to consider,” said researcher Dr Tara Beattie.
A further report by Health Protection Scotland last year said infection could occur if spores were inhaled and bags should carry warnings to gardeners to wear masks if the compost seemed dusty. While the report said the risk was low, it recommended that gardeners should open compost or potting-mix bags carefully in well-ventilated areas.
The recommendation was rejected by manufacturers who said it was “alarmist”.
Yesterday the Growing Media Association (GMA) insisted that it took the issue “very seriously”.
“The GMA would like to reassure garden centres and their customers that the risk of infection remains extremely low,” said a spokesman.
While the Scottish Government cannot force manufacturers to add the warning to labels, the situation is “being kept under review”.
“The Scottish Government has enormous sympathy for the family of Mr Murphy, and all of the other families affected by Legionnaires’ disease,” said Public Health Minister Maureen Watt.
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