An Australian grandfather is urging the public to heed a commonly ignored gardening rule after a simple mistake landed him in a coma in hospital for 10 days.
Victorian retiree, Stewart, loves tending to his garden.
But his favourite hobby nearly killed him earlier this year after he inadvertently inhaled airborne bacteria from potting mix, contracting a rare infection caused by Nocardia nova.
It left the 76-year-old with two fungal infections and pneumonia, and it very nearly claimed his life.
And it’s all because he didn’t wear a mask while handling a store-bought bag of Scotts Osmocote Premium Potting Mix.
Stewart and his wife Reita believe that many people may not be aware that potting mix can impact older Australians and immunocompromised people much more severely than the general public.
Have you had a dangerous encounter with potting mix? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com
Potting mix typically contains warnings on the packet. But how often have you taken notice?
(ACA)
“I had to learn to walk and talk again,” Stewart told A Current Affair.
He recalled how on the morning of May 15, his life was totally upended.
“I got up out of bed and collapsed, hit my head on the chest of drawers and then started vomiting uncontrollably,” he said.
“I had no idea what was wrong.”
It took doctors weeks to diagnose Stewart. In total, he spent three months in a hospital bed.
“He’s a shadow of his former self,” Reita said. “He’s lost weight; he’s lost strength.
“He’s just lost himself — this should not happen to someone.”
Reita said that “none of us were really prepared for that.”
Victorian couple Stewart and Reita are calling for change.
(ACA)Calls for potting mix packaging change
Now, the couple are calling for clearer, more prominent safety warnings on commercial potting mix packaging to ensure consumers are aware of the potential risks.
“The packaging isn’t clear enough,” Stewart said.
“I would like to see a bigger warning on the packet,” Reita said.
“How often do we read the fine print? We don’t.
“It is essential that they make people aware of how dangerous this stuff is.”
How can I stay safe?
Experts advise that everyone, regardless of their age or health status, should wear a well-fitted P1 or P2 face mask when handling potting mix.
Professor David Eldridge of the University of NSW’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, earlier told Yahoo News Australia that some uncertainties remain about exactly what is in the mixtures.
“We don’t always know, because there are so many different sorts of mixes that have different amounts of organic matter,” Eldridge said.
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“I’ve even heard some potting mixes have industrial waste, and that could be where we’ve had problems with asbestos in that stuff that was spread around Sydney.”
In 2022, there was an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease related to the use of potting mixture, with a woman dying and dozens more reported as becoming seriously ill.
In Queensland, there were almost 100 cases, two of which were fatal.
Major retailers have also sought to raise awareness of the potential risks, with Bunnings previously reminding customers to take precautions.
“When using potting mix and any other bagged products, it is highly recommended for gardeners to wear gloves and a mask and always wash their hands after using any of these products,” a Bunnings garden expert said.
Potting mix company responds after the incident
Scotts told the news program it was not aware of the alleged incident involving Stewart, but would like to speak with the gardener.
The company said its packaging is developed in accordance with the applicable Australian Standard, AS 3743, and includes clear safety information and instructions for use on pack.
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