NIH website: Fungal Spores and Numerous Health Problems

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http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/1999/suppl-3/469-472sorenson/sorenson-full.html

Abstract

Fungi have long been known to affect human well being in various ways, including

disease of essential crop plants, decay of stored foods with possible

concomitant production of mycotoxins, superficial and systemic infection of

human tissues, and disease associated with immune stimulation such as

hypersensitivity pneumonitis and toxic pneumonitis. The spores of a large number

of important fungi are less than 5 µm aerodynamic diameter, and therefore are

able to enter the lungs. They also may contain significant amounts of

mycotoxins. Diseases associated with inhalation of fungal spores include toxic

pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome,

kidney failure, and cancer. Key words: mold, fungi, mycotoxin, lung disease,

toxic pneumonitis. -- Environ Health Perspect 107(suppl 3):469-472 (1999).

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