Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Tek) 9/26/83; site hammer.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!hou3c!hocda!houxm!houxz!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!orca!hammer!annej From: annej@hammer.UUCP (Anne Jacko) Newsgroups: net.garden Subject: Re: COMPOSTERS and cat litter Message-ID: <753@hammer.UUCP> Date: Fri, 8-Jun-84 14:39:22 EDT Article-I.D.: hammer.753 Posted: Fri Jun 8 14:39:22 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 10-Jun-84 00:26:55 EDT References: <8128@lanl-a.UUCP> <15800006@hpfcla.UUCP>, <966@ihuxq.UUCP>, <704@CS-Arthur> Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR Lines: 16 The "germ" mentioned in the original article about kitty litter is actually a parasite called toxoplasmosis. It can have very bad effects on a fetus of any age. Pregnant women are advised to have another household member clean out the cat box if possible, or else wear gloves and avoid breathing any dust from the litter while doing it. Toxoplasmosis is nearly harmless to extra-utero humans, and a person may be infected and never notice any symptoms. Cats can get it by eating infected rodents, birds, or other raw meat. Pregnant women are also advised to avoid raw or undercooked meat. Another thing pregnant women should do is wear gloves when gardening, since cats consider the garden to be Nature's gift of an outdoor litter box. -- A. Jacko, Tektronix