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Management of biosolids in a safe and economical way is a major issue throughout the world. One avenue for biosolids disposal is the use of biosolids in the production of landscaping products for domestic gardens. Despite the advantages of recycling biosolids as a soil amendment, microbiological contaminants in biosolids products pose a potential threat to public health. The aim of this research was to assess the risks of exposure to microbial hazards in gardening products that contained composted biosolids. The research focussed on those microbes that cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in humans. An epidemiological study was carried out to meet this aim. A prospective cohort study was used to determine the incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in people exposed to composted biosolids in gardening products. The incidence of these illnesses was compared with that in a group of people who had used similar gardening products made without biosolids. Study participants were recruited from landscaping supplies outlets in Perth, Western Australia, when buying selected gardening products. Data for the study were collected by means of two telephone interviews. The first interview focussed on demographic information, gardening practices and use of the product of interest, and the occurrence of symptoms related to gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in the two weeks before exposure. The second interview collected information on the occurrence of symptoms in the two weeks after exposure and additional exposures to biosolids and other risk factors. The interviews were conducted with the main gardener in the household and with any additional gardeners if they were willing to participate. Information was also collected about relevant exposures and the health of children in the household aged five or less. No significant association between exposure to composted biosolids and the incidence of gastrointestinal illness was observed. The adjusted

Management of biosolids in a safe and economical way is a major issue throughout the world. One avenue for biosolids disposal is the use of biosolids in the production of landscaping products for domestic gardens. Despite the advantages of recycling biosolids as a soil amendment, microbiological contaminants in biosolids products pose a potential threat to public health. The aim of this research was to assess the risks of exposure to microbial hazards in gardening products that contained composted biosolids. The research focussed on those microbes that cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in humans. An epidemiological study was carried out to meet this aim. A prospective cohort study was used to determine the incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in people exposed to composted biosolids in gardening products. The incidence of these illnesses was compared with that in a group of people who had used similar gardening products made without biosolids. Study participants were recruited from landscaping supplies outlets in Perth, Western Australia, when buying selected gardening products. Data for the study were collected by means of two telephone interviews. The first interview focussed on demographic information, gardening practices and use of the product of interest, and the occurrence of symptoms related to gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in the two weeks before exposure. The second interview collected information on the occurrence of symptoms in the two weeks after exposure and additional exposures to biosolids and other risk factors. The interviews were conducted with the main gardener in the household and with any additional gardeners if they were willing to participate. Information was also collected about relevant exposures and the health of children in the household aged five or less. No significant association between exposure to composted biosolids and the incidence of gastrointestinal illness was observed. The adjusted

Management of biosolids in a safe and economical way is a major issue throughout the world. One avenue for biosolids disposal is the use of biosolids in the production of landscaping products for domestic gardens. Despite the advantages of recycling biosolids as a soil amendment, microbiological contaminants in biosolids products pose a potential threat to public health. The aim of this research was to assess the risks of exposure to microbial hazards in gardening products that contained composted biosolids. The research focussed on those microbes that cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in humans. An epidemiological study was carried out to meet this aim. A prospective cohort study was used to determine the incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in people exposed to composted biosolids in gardening products. The incidence of these illnesses was compared with that in a group of people who had used similar gardening products made without biosolids. Study participants were recruited from landscaping supplies outlets in Perth, Western Australia, when buying selected gardening products. Data for the study were collected by means of two telephone interviews. The first interview focussed on demographic information, gardening practices and use of the product of interest, and the occurrence of symptoms related to gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in the two weeks before exposure. The second interview collected information on the occurrence of symptoms in the two weeks after exposure and additional exposures to biosolids and other risk factors. The interviews were conducted with the main gardener in the household and with any additional gardeners if they were willing to participate. Information was also collected about relevant exposures and the health of children in the household aged five or less. No significant association between exposure to composted biosolids and the incidence of gastrointestinal illness was observed. The adjusted