Gardeners to be warned of potting-mix disease risk

Gardening retailers in Canterbury are being asked to warn customers about the risk of catching Legionnaires disease from potting mix.

The recent death of an elderly man from the bronchial disease has prompted the Labour Department to plan an information drop to retailers who sell bagged compost and potting mix.

The department's health and safety manager for Canterbury, Margaret Radford, said it was believed the man contracted the disease - caused by a bacterium found in soils, composts and potting mixes - from his gardening activities.

Ms Radford said some people were more at risk of contracting Legionnaires disease than others, including people susceptible to lung diseases or chest infections, such as the elderly, the infirm and smokers.

The department is compiling information on best practices for handling compost and potting mix and would ask retailers to inform customers.

"There are some very simple but effective precautions against this form of Legionnaires disease, and we're asking the business community here to help protect their clients by distributing this advice," Ms Radford said.

Twenty cases of Legionnaires disease were notified in Christchurch this year and three people died in the city's worst outbreak.

- NZPA