There are over 100,000 species of fungi. Many fungi are good and useful (edible mushrooms would be an example of these) while some cause problems (some fungi can injure plants and humans). Every week the IEQ Review will describe a specific microorganism, its morphological origin and potential health effects.  If you would like to know about a specific organism and/or would like it published in The IEQ Review please email Dr. Rajiv Sahay with the Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDL) at Pure Air Control Services laboratory@pureaircontrols.com.

This week we will cover ...   

Penicillium species



Penicillium species

A slow to rapidly-growing fungus that produces green, blue-green, yellow-green, gray-green, orange to red colony with an uncolored or yellow, orange, yellowish- brownish, deep red to reddish-purple reverse, within fourteen days, when incubated at 25oC (77oF). Some species may produce a fruity odor. It is a common fungus isolated worldwide and can be isolated from air, soil, plants, sand dunes, sewage, swamps, mangrove swamps, salt marshes, caves, fresh and salt water, compost, cotton, cellulose, textiles, caterpillars, bird feathers, animal dung, leather, wooden furniture, bees and beehives, flour-based foodstuffs, optical lenses, paints, fruits, and fruit juices. Some species produce a mycotoxin. Rarely an opportunistic human pathogen in corneal infections and systemic infections. It also causes hypersensitivity pneumonitis in cheese workers, humidifier lung disease, woodman’s lung disease, and cork worker’s (suberosis) disease.
 

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For additional information, contact:

Pure Air Control Services

800-422-7873, ext. 802