Bin strike 'health risk threat'

Mountains of rubbish piling up in Leeds as a result of the city's bin strike may pose a public health risk, a microbiologist has warned.

Chris Boothby, laboratory manager at Leeds Metropolitan University, said bacteria and fungi from the bins were spreading out into the environment.

He said: "This is really starting to be a health risk."

Hundreds of refuse and street cleaning workers have vowed to strike indefinitely in a row over pay.

Mr Boothby said the bugs and fungi from the rubbish multiplied and then released spores into the air, which can cause lung problems such as asthma.

I would really not like to walk down these streets and breath in the air that is blowing around Microbiologist Chris Boothby

In a swab sample of one household bin for harmful bugs, Mr Boothby recorded a reading of 48,029.

A normal reading of a regularly emptied bin would be about 4,000 he said.

"The bacteria and fungi are really spreading out and no longer contained in the bins and bags.

"It's spreading into the general environment and I must admit I'm starting to get quite worried."

He added: "I would really not like to walk down these streets and breathe in the air that is blowing around.

"If you have people who already have asthma then they are starting to get worried now.

"If you also have people who are ill, older people with slightly reduced immune systems, they are going to be getting a little worried about the level of waste and bacteria and fungi in the air."

The strike centres on union claims that the council plans to cut refuse collectors' annual salaries by up to £5,000 from February 2011 following the introduction of equal pay legislation.

Leeds City Council has said it has been using private contractors and agency staff to deal with the backlog of rubbish caused by the strike.

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