Output details
14 - Civil and Construction Engineering
University of Strathclyde
Legionella spp. in UK composts – a potential public health issue?
2013 saw the largest compost-related Legionellosis outbreak in the UK (www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-24304032). This infection route is recognised in the Southern Hemisphere, but is rare in Europe, therefore Legionella ecology in European compost is largely unknown. This analysis, first in the UK and only the third in Europe, documents Legionella prevalence in common composts. It has had immediate press (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-24348811) and radio coverage (Radio 4, Gardener¹s Question Time, 25/10/13) prompted the Growing Media Association to press for standardised warnings (http://www.hortweek.com/news/1215581/talks-tabled-compost-labels-include-legionella-warnings/). Paper submitted to Health Protection Scotland (martin.donaghy@nhs.net) to support their case to Scottish Government for mandatory health warnings, including across Europe.