Nothing's perfect, certainly not organic food, but this story in the April l0 Guardian is one more example of organic issues...

· Danger to skin and lungs from mould spores in bins
· Families in Germany told to wear facemasks

Kate Connolly in Berlin
The Guardian, Thursday April 10 2008

German scientists are warning householders of the health dangers posed by storing organic waste, saying exposure to it, particularly to the moulds that develop as the material decays, can cause skin problems and even breathing difficulties.

Harald Morr, a leading pneumologist, who is also chairman of the German Lung Foundation, said studies showed that airborne mould spores from organic waste could lead to allergic reactions, asthma attacks, hayfever-like symptoms and itchy skin lesions.

"Even just opening the lid of a bin containing organic waste can cause mould spores to be stirred up which, if breathed in, can damage the lungs," said Morr. "The more spores breathed in, the worse the repercussions on one's health can be."