Human waste crap for plants

Faeces from healthy humans contains live viruses, most of which are plant viruses that could sicken and deform plants, an international study shows.

The finding, published in the current issue of the journal Polo Biology, could have implications for the use of human waste as fertiliser.

Collected water, otherwise known as reclaimed or grey water, may also contain deadly plant viruses.

But future studies are needed to determine if such water, which is sometimes used for irrigation, can infect plants.

The researchers say the viruses we pass probably do not harm us and airborne transmission is unlikely.

Instead, the viruses probably hitch a ride through the human body via food, even when the food is cooked or dried.

Human waste crap for plants