There are people who say composting is causing people to drop dead like
flies, but to my mind these people are concerned that composting
operations have been or are about to be sited near their homes and
places of business. The issue most often raised is aspergillis fumigatus
a ubiquitous microbe that is found in many places, including grains,
leaves, grasses, soil and refrigerator walls (and of course composting
and mulching facilities). Compost facility workers
have not dropped dead, but some with respiratory problems have moved on
to other jobs due to health concerns. People with weakened immune
systems may truly be at risk if they live next door to a composting
facility, but then they are already at risk due to the state of their
immune system.
I am forwarding your question to leafmulch-mg@esusda.gov, a mail group
that specializes in mulching with yard trimmings and other "waste"
materials, but includes many composting professionals, some who
specialize in health aspects of composting facilities.
On Tue, 10 Oct 1995,
Andrew Cutz wrote:
>
> Dear Sanetters:
>
> We would appreciate if you could direct us to proper sources of
> information (advice) concerning occupational/environemental/public health
> aspects of `composting operations and facilities'.
>
> Your help and advice would be much appreciated.
>
> TIA,
>
> Andrew Cutz
> Internet: cutza@gov.on.ca
>
>
> P.S. Please advise re: subscription to `sanet-mg' listserver !? AC
>
>
> -------------------
> Andrew Cutz, CIH
> Occupational Hygiene Consultant Voice: (705) 267-6231
> Professional and Specialized Services Fax: (705) 264-9196
> Ontario Ministry of Labour
> 273 Third Avenue, Suite 204 Internet: cutza@gov.on.ca
> Timmins, Ontario
> Canada P4N 1E2