Compost must be handled with care, damped down with water to reduce dust before handling, and use of a face mask covering the nose and mouth to reduce the risk of inhaling the dust is needed, especially for those at high risk from infection. Studies advocate the introduction of an industry standard that ensures the use of face masks when handling potting mix and attaching masks and warning labels to potting mix bags sold to the public. Compost packaging in Australia has an
L. longbeachae warning label. The
New South Wales state government recommends that people reduce exposure to potting mix dust by following the manufacturers' warning present on potting mix labels, including: • Wetting down the potting mix to reduce the dust • Wearing gloves and a P2 mask when using potting mix • Washing hands after handling potting mix or soil, and before eating, drinking or smoking ==Symptoms==