Health risk for students: toxic plants despite warning!

In Vienna there are health concerns about poisonous plants in school gardens. According to a report by the city technical center, toxic plants were found in the gardens of some of the 426 compulsory schools in the city, despite previous criticism and recommendations for newly plantable, non -toxic alternatives. A particularly alarming incident occurred in June 2022, when four children took parts of a 'golden shrub' in the mouth. The Viennese city gardens (MA42) have remedied some defects, but there are still security risks that require quick measures. In the future, toxic plants will be strictly avoided and removed in the future, such as Today. reported.

In order to meet the challenges of climate change, the Viennese city gardens react with a sustainable greening. Since 2017, seasonal flower beds have been gradually replaced by robust grass and perennial beds. These plants are less care and need less water - an important advantage in the face of extreme weather conditions. The city gardens now take care of around 155,000 m² of these areas, which are not only attractive for humans, but also create habitats for animals. Different mixtures of perennials and grasses promote biodiversity and ensure that insects and birds find food and shelter, such as wien.gv.at reported.

urgent measures required

The Viennese city gardens have already implemented the strict requirements for avoiding toxic plants in new systems, but there is also a need for action in the event of existing gardens. In a current tender, all toxic plants, such as ragweed or giant bear, are asked for immediate removal to ensure the safety of the children. With this measure and switching to sustainable beds, the city gardens want to significantly reduce the dangers of toxic plants and at the same time ensure a varied and safe environment.