Leaves and ABPA

Question

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to describe the current situation at our daycare center to you and request a response.
Outside on the playground, there is an area designated for planting, where—naturally—leaves tend to accumulate during the winter months. Currently, whenever we are out there, both the children and the educators sweep these leaves away; the walkway—which my children, of course, also use—runs directly alongside this area. One can catch the earthy scent simply by walking past, and every time this happens, I feel a sense of unease—particularly given the risk that a child, while shoveling, might accidentally fling soil (which is already spilling onto the walkway anyway) in the direction of my own children. Both of my children have cystic fibrosis. Aspergillus has also been detected in my older child's lungs, and he has already begun treatment for it. What kind of pathogens could one contract in this situation? Is it merely fungal spores, or is there also a risk of Pseudomonas or the dreaded Burkholderia cepacia? It has already been established that the children must not come into contact with these substances; however, the current situation still causes me a great deal of anxiety. Are my concerns well-founded, or is it safe for me to allow them to walk along that path? We are currently in the settling-in phase, so I am present on-site and keeping a close eye on things. However, the educators are not being particularly vigilant; in fact, just today, my younger child was nearly hit by a shovelful of soil and leaves—something I only managed to prevent by rushing over to intervene.
What is the situation regarding the water pump on the playground? While the water itself flows out clean, I am concerned about the catch basins. There are three of these basins, and the water flows from one to the next before eventually seeping into the ground. If the pump were to be used during the summer, the water would stagnate and accumulate in these basins. Would it be safe for my children to play with this water?

Thank you for your response.

Sincerely,

Answer

Dear inquirer,

As you yourself suspect, certain bacteria may indeed be present in the environment you describe; under specific circumstances, they could enter the airways and potentially colonize them. This certainly includes Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is found wherever conditions are moist! It also includes the mold Aspergillus fumigatus, as well as atypical mycobacteria.
Naturally, Pseudomonas could also be present in the well water...
Consequently, spending time in that environment does entail a certain degree of risk.
Warm regards,
Barbara Kahl

17.05.2026