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.”

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