A grieving Christchurch family wants larger warning signs on bags of potting mix after the coroner found the death of a 63-year-old mother was caused by legionnaires' disease contracted from bagged compost.
Margaret Velenski died two years ago after helping her husband, Paul, pot orchids and begonias on the deck outside their house.
Complaining of a cough and lack of energy, she visited a doctor and was diagnoised with a lung infection. Three days later she died and today the coroner has ruled the cause of her death was legionnaires' disease contracted from the potting mix.
Margaret's daughter, Jocelyn Velenski, says more people need to be aware of the risk.
"I think the findings from the coroner's office should be plastered on the bags. It's just not enough, and Mum's proof of that," says Ms Velenski.
Mr Velenski says Margaret hardly handled the mix.
"She was just the supervisor. With the arthritis, with the hands, she couldn't do very much. She supervised and I did the work, but she was very close and present," he says.
"A lot more people need to be aware of the danger," says Ms Velenski.
The Ministry of Health says five precautions should be taken when handling potting mix:
- Open the bag outside
- Use scissors - don't rip the bag
- Wear gloves and a mask
- Keep the bag contents damp
- Wash your hands afterwards
Health officials confess legionnaires' disease is difficult to diagnose.
"If you have respiratory illness and you are a keen gardener, you should remind your doctor," says Canterbury District Health Board's medical officer of health Dr Alistair Humphrey.
The Velenski family want bigger warning signs on the bags.
"The warnings aren't big enough on the bag and something more needs to be done," says Ms Velenski.
It's a plea from a family in the hope of keeping others safe in the garden this summer.
3 News
source: newshub archive
