|
|
|
  SCIENCE AND MEDICAL DATA Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences  - Artillery Fungus Threatens Homeowners, Mulch Industry
- Artillery Fungus Threatens Homeowners, Mulch IndustryThursday July 03, 1997UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- It barely takes up the space on a quarter of a match head, but the artillery fungus shot enough sticky, black spore masses at homes and automobiles last year to cause more than $1 million in homeowner damage claims in Pennsylvania alone. Researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are involved in a five year study of the fungus, commonly found in wood-based landscape mulch. Mulch beds can be infected by the fungus in various ways--it can grow on trees that become mulch, or a leaf that contains spore masses can blow into a mulch bed. Artillery fungus, also known as shotgun fungus, is a wood-rotting variety that prefers sunny, damp areas.
- It is so small that even experts have trouble finding it in mulch, but it gives the wood a bleached appearance, says Larry Kuhns, professor of horticulture. This particular type of "mushroom" is a small cream or orange-brown cup containing a black, round mass of spores. Spore masses are produced when temperatures are between 50 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, typical of the spring and fall seasons. The fruiting body points itself toward strong light sources such as sun-reflecting glass and light colored buildings and cars. As the body matures, it opens like a flower, revealing the mass of spores in the middle. Five hours after opening, the inner cup inverts and violently ejects the spore mass, with a 1/10,000 horsepower force, as far as 20 feet.
- The spore masses, which are sometimes mistaken for insect frass, adhere to any surfaces they contact. They cannot be removed without damaging or staining the surface and are viable for at least 10 years, says Kuhns, who is conducting the research with Don Davis, professor of plant pathology, and Beth Brantley, graduate student in plant pathology. "Preliminary results indicate that the fungus doesn't grow in rot-resistant woods like redwood, cedar and cypress," he adds, stressing that all results are very preliminary and experiments have not yet been repeated to validate the findings. Brantley says the fungus seems to grow on either wood chips or "double shredded" bark mulch--the dark, organic-looking, thin-stranded mulch.
- Stringent new landfill regulations in recent years have forced increased recycling of waste products generated by wood-product manufacturers, lumber mills and land clearing for development. Consequently, landscape mulch production has become an important outlet for these wastes and a significant source of income for these industries. As the demand for landscape mulch has increased for ornamental reasons, the fungus has become a larger problem. .
  JUST WHAT IS MOLD? Mold, also known as fungus, is a family of organisms that are found throughout nature. Unlike plants, mold need food and water sources in order to thrive. This food source is often in the form of a carbohydrate material, such as wood or cellulose. Mold grows in units called mycelium and reproduce through the formation of spores. Spores frequently become airborne, and like pollen, can cause allergic disease. What Types of Diseases Can Mold Cause? Mold has well-known associations with human disease. People can develop fungal infections of various types, especially those with poorly functioning immune systems. Fungi are also known to produce toxins, which have been blamed for causing various diseases. Molds can also cause severe immune reactions as a result of colonizing (living in, but not causing an actual infection) the lungs (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) and the sinuses. Molds are also well known to cause various allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. Which Molds are Known to Cause Allergies? There are thousands of types of mold, however, only a few of these are currently available for allergy testing. The following are the most likely causes of allergic disease based on the types of mold spores collected in the air: - Alternaria. A common outdoor mold; allergy to this mold can be associated with severe asthma.
- Cladosporium. The most common airborne outdoor mold.
- Aspergillus. A common indoor and outdoor mold; also associated with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
- Penicillium. A common indoor mold; allergy to which is not associated with antibiotic allergy.
- Helminthosporum. More commonly found in warmer climates.
- Epicoccum. Found in grassland and agricultural areas.
- Fusarium. Commonly found on rotting plants.
- Aureobasidium. Common outdoor mold, commonly found on paper, lumber, and painted surfaces.
- Phoma. An outdoor mold, especially common during wet periods.
- Smuts. Found in areas of agriculture.
- Rhizopus and Mucor. Commonly found on decaying leaves and damp indoor areas. Airborne forms of these molds are less common.
- Yeasts. Commonly found in the air during wet periods in agricultural areas. Allergic disease to Candida albicans is controversial, despite some people having positive allergy testing to this type of mold.
What Times of the Year Does Mold Allergy Occur? In colder climates, molds can be found in the outdoor air starting in the late winter, and peaking in the late summer to early fall months (July to October). In warmer climates, mold spores may be found throughout the year, with the highest levels found in the late summer to early fall months. While indoor molds can occur year round and are dependent on moisture levels in the home, indoor mold levels are higher when outdoor mold levels are higher. Therefore, a common source of indoor mold is from the outside environment, although can also be from indoor mold contamination. What Measures Can Be Used to Decrease Indoor Mold Levels? - Prevent outdoor molds from entering the home by keeping doors and windows closed and using air conditioning equipped with allergen-grade air filters
- Control indoor moisture with the use of dehumidifiers
- Fix water leaks in bathrooms, kitchens and basements
- Ensure adequate ventilation of moist areas
- Clean (or replace) contaminated surfaces with diluted a chlorine bleach solution (one part household bleach in nine parts water), while using proper protective gear (mask and goggles)
- Utilize HEPA filters on vacuums or as a stand-alone air filter
- Limit indoor houseplants, and ensure those that are present are free of mold on leaves and in potting soil
Date: September 11, 1777 - =====================================================================
|
|
|
|
|
|
