A recent meningitis outbreak has killed 30 people and sickened over 400. The involved fungus, typically has not been associated with such outbreaks. There is a reason, continue reading. The fungus of topic is Exserohilum rostratum . The fungus is typically found eating plant matter in nature.  As we know, mold is very opportunistic and will pretty much flourish anywhere in the right conditions. Exserohilum rostratum  has been identified in lab samples from 52 of those affected and was similarly found growing in unopened vials of steroids. These steroids  seem to be the cause of the outbreak. Exserohilum rostratum  prefers warmer, wetter environments, and has been found on a number of different plant species. They infect plants and in some cases precipitate tissue death. Once the plant dies, the fungus can feast on the remains. It could have found it's way into human patients through tainted steroids. Once inside a patient the fungus enters the dura matter, which encl...

  Let's talk about Radon, here are a few points. * Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas, meaning, you can’t see it or smell it. * Radon naturally occurring in the air and water from rivers/streams. (low levels) * Higher radon levels are found indoors and from well water. Most of the time if you have a mold issue there is an associated odor. Well, unlike mold, Radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Oh, do I need to mention again, it's radioactive?  There are two sides of the fence regarding Radon.  Side #1 - Oh my Gosh, we detected Radon...run or you will die!  Side #2 - You have Radon? Eh, no big deal.  The truth is, we are all physiologically, genetically different.  We have different diets and different vocations. We are not cookie cutter people. So the EPA has to give us guidelines and standards to work with, based on what they determine to be deemed safe for the average person. That being said, is there any safe level for Radon in our h...

      If you have read my other posts, you should know I do not think chlorine should be used anywhere around humans and pets for any reasons. Although Chlorine has been used in swimming pools for decades, it does not mean it is safe. This is also true for Chloramines. Chloramines have to be removed from tap water that will be used in aquariums, because it is toxic to fish! Yet they put it in our drinking water and say it is safe to drink....    Ocular and Respiratory Illness / Indoor Swimming Pools   On December 26, 2006, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) received a report of a child hospitalized in an intensive care unit for severe chemical epiglottitis and laryngotracheobronchitis after swimming in an indoor motel swimming pool. The pool was inspected the same day and immediately closed by NDHHS because of multiple state health code violations. NDHHS initiated an outbreak investigation to identify additional cases and the cau...