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From The Sunday Times
April 22, 2007

Asthma link to late bin pickup

HANDLING rubbish that has been left out for a fortnight before being collected can increase the risk of health problems including asthma and nausea, a study has found, writes Steven Swinford.

Researchers found that the level of bacteria and fungal spores in the air above bins that had not been emptied for two weeks was more than 10 times that in locations where there was a weekly collection.

The findings come amid concerns about the public health risks of cutting collections. More than 140 councils in England have moved to fortnightly emptying to encourage recycling and cut costs, despite warnings of an increase in rat and insect infestation.

The spread of fortnightly collections has also raised fears about fly-tipping. Government figures show incidents rose by over 10% last year. In 2005/6 there were 1,034,518 cases, up from 926,534 in 2004/5.

Caroline Spelman, the shadow local government secretary, said: “Fortnightly collections, designed to be a green initiative, could result in more people driving to the countryside to dump waste.”

But Ben Bradshaw, the environment minister, said: “There is absolutely no evidence of any connection between alternate weekly collections and fly-tipping.”

The new report, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, found rubbish left out for longer periods produced tens of thousands more spores.

Dr Tom Kosatsky, a medical epidemiologist at McGill University in Montreal, said: “If rubbish is decaying for two weeks and is heated by warm weather, it provides a fertile breeding ground for spores.

“Exposure to fungi on this level can trigger sore throats, respiratory symptoms, faintness, weakness and depression, asthma and other allergic reactions.”

Dr Toni Gladding, a lecturer in environmental engineering at the Open University, said: “Councils introduced the change without recognising there may be a risk to occupational health.”

Mr. Masu is correct, other than his suggestion that we will need to 'Wait for it'.

The every other week scheme was introduced about 5 years ago where I live. Since then we are expected to spend more time separating and use more water washing cans and similar so called 're-cyclables'.

Our local charges have just about doubled in that time, whereas I feel I should be charging for my services provided.

Interestingly there are times of year when we do get weekly collections. But only late November to early February when the alternate week 'garden waste' collections are suspended because there is nothing to collect.

Mid summer - live with it. Sometimes or a month like the time my next door neighbours missed a collection somehow. That was not pleasant for us so I am more than happy to help them out and check. Better of course that such problems did not exist, I believe rubbish is collected daily in Spain. Probably why so many people are heading there.

Grant, Derby,

Why the research? This has been known for decades. The folks who believed that something good could come of delaying garbage pickup should be required to live in the dustbins. I suppose if I want a tour of the middle ages, all I have to do is hop on a jet and visit the UK and the continent. I don't need Mr. Peabody's way back machine.

Robert Greene, Richmond, VA/USA

Wait for it, people. First service is reduced by 50 percent, all in the name of improvement. Next, the price will increase by 100 percent because it costs more to police the reduced service levels. And none of you will bat an eyelid.

David Masu, Zürich,

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