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Potting plants

Question
Dear expert team,
My daughter has CF and is 4 years old. We want to pot plants in huge pots. I thought my daughter might help with that, however she shoud wear a mask. Is it really necessary? How high is the risk that she aquires problematic germs like fungi, Burkholderia cepacia.., when potting or later when watering the plants ?
Many thanks for your answer,
Best regards,
EM
Answer
Dear questioner,
unfortunately is is not easy to give a clear answer, as the risk can only hardly be estimated. In general transmission is possible and cannot completely be excluded. Many germs are environmental germs and are commen in humid areas and also in the ground. Many germs are phyto-pathogens (like Burkholderia) and can occur on plants and on the roots of the plants. Even if the risk can be very low when potting plants, it is not possible to make a secure statement. For example it is possible, that the germ load is very different locally. It is in any case sensitive to avoid aerosols, to wear gloves, to have a consequent hygiene of the hands and also to wear a face mask.
Best regards,
Michael Hogardt
17.07.2017