Is laurel mulch poisoning me ?

morganlefay

I am hoping a wise person can tell me the answer. we recently had a VERY overgrown laurel hedge cut back by an expert. He has taken it all the way back to bare branches, and also cut other hedges we have. He shredded all the cut stuff and has mulched the base of the laurel hedge with it (about 3ft deep in some places.) To start with it smelt all lovely and fresh and green, but now I think its fermenting (warm weather + rain) and the smell is less nice. It is just outside the room where I have my computer so I am at the desk a lot, and for the past three days I have had sore throat, hoarse voice, earache, sore tongue and inside of mouth and a headache. I suddenly wondered if the poisonous laurel mulch might be doing this ? Anyone got any ideas ?

whitewing

I don't know, but I have had cold-like symptoms for a week or so. It could just be a time of year thing as everyone starts drifting back to work and school from holidays all over the place. End Aug/beginning Sept are a usual time for colds and bugs in my experience.

foreign_correspondent

this link may be hepful:
http://groups.google.com.sg/group/rec.gardens/browse_thread/thread/0b02e55afd391c97?fwc=1
and this one
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/todo_now/faqs.php?id=109
though interestingly the second one does advise you to 'stand up-wind' whilst you are cutting it up!!

However, it is definitely not safe if it is anywhere where pets or kids could eat it!

The_Biff

Laurel does poison the soil, making it difficult to grow things near it.

mary43

Both me and OH have been suffering with sniffs, sneezes and coughs, sore throats -put it down to the time of year when the temperatures up and down so much.
Having said that, I daren't go picking any more runner beans.........last time I stuck my head among them all I couldn't stop sneezing.

Davesnave

Your 'expert' was taking a bit of a risk himself, but I think you are in the clear:
Incidents

In modern times, most incidents noted with this plant are related to the smell emanating from chipped prunings. The following are typical examples.

A woman employed a contract gardener to remove a tree. He used a chipper to deal with the smaller branches. She asked him to also prune a run of cherry laurel and he said he would but he wouldn’t chip it having, on a previous occasion, almost passed out from the cyanide fumes coming off the chipper.
A tree surgeon talked about smelling almonds when he opened a van full of laurel shreddings.

The full article is here:

http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/prunus_laurocerasus.htm

The danger from chipped laurel would seem to be be strongest immediately after cutting.

tomterm8

The only symptom on your list that fits with laurel poisoning AFAIK is the headache. Personally, I think you are just going down with a bad cold. It seems highly unlikely you could be subject to laurel poisoning from a mulch outside, as long as you don't eat it. However, if you have any doubt you should see your doctor.

It is daft shredding laurel IMHO unless you use a professional grade face mask.

morganlefay

Thank you all so much. I am usually an 'Old Style' forum person as not much of a gardener, but I am reassured now (and very definitely not standing down wind of the mulch, just in case) Thankyou:beer: