What is Mold? Molds are neither plants nor animals. They are microscopic fungi, related to mushrooms, yeast, and mildew—and they can be found everywhere. Fungi use enzymes to digest food and reproductive cells called spores to reproduce. Molds play an important role in the decomposition of leaves, wood, and other dead plant matter. Mold puts the "blue" in bleu cheese, and mold is the original source of penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used naturally-occurring antibiotics. Unfortunately, mold is also one of the most common allergens on the planet.    Molds in the Environment Molds live in the soil, on plants, and on dead or decaying matter. Outdoors, molds play a key role in the breakdown of leaves, wood, and other plant debris. Molds belong to the kingdom Fungi, and unlike plants, they lack chlorophyll and must survive by digesting plant materials, using plant and other organic materials for food. Without molds, our environment would be overwhelmed with...

Microorganisms can enter our body in multiple ways. When we go swimming, the expectations of contracting a deadly amoeba is not a consideration. However, we have to be proactive with our health by staying informed. I'm not a proponent of sticking anything up your nose. If you are interested, check out my other post on the dangers of Neti Pots.     The Story  A 14-year-old Arizona boy became the 6th victim to die this year of a microscopic organism (Naegleria fowleri) which attacks the body through the nasal cavity, then quickly making its way up to the brain. Aaron Evans died on Sept. 17th from this organism doctors said he most likely contracted up a week before while swimming in Lake Havasu.  What does the CDC have to say? According to the Centers For Disease Control, there are only 23 reported cases of infection from 1995 to 2004. However, this year health officials said they've noticed a spike in cases, with 6 fatalities to date.  *  This is a heat-lovi...