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 ...
 
Mucor hiemalis  

Mucor hiemalis is one of the commonest soil fungi and the most frequent representative of the Mucorales.

 
 

It is a rapidly growing fungus that produces a white to yellow colony, later becoming dark gray within four days, when incubated at 25°C (77°F) under laboratory conditions.  It is found worldwide and is one of the most common fungi found in the environment.  It can be isolated from air, soil, salt marshes, children's sandpits, dunes, sandy soil, desert soil, river water, sewage sludge, animal dung, bird feathers, garden compost, and decaying plant materials.  Rarely, it can be an opportunistic human pathogen.