11-28-2006, 08:40 AM
Its not only E-coli you need to be concerned about. In Australia, recyclers render down green waste which comprises lawn clippings, branches of trees and shrubs, weeds, topsoil etc that is collected each week from households and dumped at the Council tips. They mix it with animal manures and stack it in large piles in the open to build up heat to kill seeds and microbial pathogens. This is to rot it down until it becomes a suitable product for potting mix, top soil for lawns, garden mixes etc etc. I heard a scientist chap on TV warning the public particularly gardeners to make sure they wash their hands well and don't breath the air in close proximity to the soil as even after going through this heat treatment process it can still contain Legionnaire's disease. I have also heard when it reaches a certain stage of the rotting down process it is bagged and stacked indoors in huge piles 30 feet high in a large factory warehouse where it continues the rotting down process inside the plastic bags covered with the manufactures logo and advertising information printing until it is eventually sold in the same bags months later to the unwary public in Nurseries and Garden Centers.
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