Re: Re:Fungi, Deserts and Coastal

January 2, 2005

In a message dated 1/2/2005 12:41:59 PM Pacific Standard Time,

jonathan1@... writes:

As long

as it doesn't rain, the desert generally works fo me.

I notice that it feels better in the San Diego region (coastal and inland

desert, semi-arid, chaparral) when there is less humidity (between 30 and 50% -

most of May - Oct. ). Too dry - it is uncomfortable for the sinuses and lungs

- too wet, fungi bloom, as now, in winter, our rainy season - Nov. through

April. The wetter, the worse it feels, lungs & sinuses. The fungi can be

smelled in the air, and on the damp soil, I think. However, this geographic

area

is far better, I imagine, than many very wet areas.

The true deserts do have problems with fungal spores during certain times of

the year - and diseases associated with these - " Valley Fever " is one -

respiratory infections result. When the Santa Ana winds blow from the desert

regions to the west (ocean) certain weeks of the year, the fungi on the desert

floor are disturbed and become airborne, that is when many in our area

experience " asthma " .

When it gets uncomfortable (in the presence of mold outside or minor amounts

inside in buildings that I must be in for short times), I find that wearing

a virus-type (GerMask brand) surgical mask works well for me - sometimes

doubled up (stapled together). These are designed for bacterial filtration but

do

work for me - I have used them at work (boy they loved that) and at home - it

takes away some of the exposure, not all. But enough to improve things

significantly. It also helps with not catching the flu, as floating mucous with

viral particles . To heck with what others think!

=photo_

=photo)

Sue

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