Ebola disease, an infectious and generally fatal viral disease has caught the attention of the whole world. The current outbreak in the West African countries has been described as the worst in the history of the disease. The Ebola disease is characterized by fever and severe internal bleeding. Ebola disease is transmitted through contact with […]
Can Black Mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) Affect Pregnancy?
August 23, 2014 by
Stachybotrys chartarum or black mold as it’s commonly called by the general public has been associated with numerous health issues some of which have not been scientifically proven. Among the many concerns is that exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum during pregnancy can cause pregnancy loss or stillbirth. This article briefly explains what Stachybotrys chartarum is, how […]
Is Dry Rot Fungus Dangerous?
August 9, 2014 by
The dry rot fungus, Serpula lacrymans, is one of the most destructive wood decay fungi in buildings in many countries around the world. Due to its destructive nature, Serpula lacrymans is often referred to as a “building cancer”. It can also cause structural damage to masonry. The fungus thrives in poorly ventilated, dark places with elevated […]
Flesh-eating bacteria in humans
August 4, 2014 by
The term “flesh-eating bacteria” was originally used to describe the group A streptococci (GAS), such as Streptococcus pyogenes, that cause a rare infection. Terms like flesh-eating or necrotizing have been used because the bacterial infection produces toxins that destroy tissues such as muscles, skin, and fat. However, the bacteria does not “eat” the flesh as […]
Compost as a source of the deadly Legionella bacteria
July 23, 2014 by
Compost may contain the potentially deadly Legionella bacteria. In fact, cases of legionellosis caused by Legionella bacteria in compost have been on the increase worldwide. In October 2013, a case of legionellosis linked to compost exposure was reported in Richmond, British Columbia. Legionellosis is a term used for any disease, caused by Legionella. Two forms […]
Airborne fungal spores exposure limits
July 14, 2014 by
A common question often asked is what are the airborne fungal spores exposure limits in both indoor and outdoor environments? In other words, what are the maximum spore concentrations that a healthy person can inhale without getting sick? While there are no universally acceptable airborne fungal spores exposure limits, existing evidence suggests such limits would […]
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