Mitigating Fusarium Exposure and Infection Risks in Hospitals and Buildings throughout Puerto Rico

While most species of Fusarium are harmless, others can cause costly plant damage or spoil cereal crops through the production of mycotoxins, including fumonisins and trichothecenes. Exposure to Fusarium can even cause potential health issues for humans and animals.

In homes and buildings that have suffered water damage or elevated humidity levels, Fusarium is sometimes found in surface and air samples. Exposure to elevated levels of it, as with other types of fungi, may cause allergic reactions in some people or it can act as a respiratory irritant. Fusarium can even trigger an asthma attack in some people with the condition.

Some species of Fusarium can also cause a host of infections. People with healthy immune systems may develop infections of the nails or cornea. There have even been past investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of outbreaks of Fusarium keratitis that were associated with contaminated eye products. People with weakened immune systems could develop aggressive infections impacting the bloodstream or other parts of the body. Unfortunately, these infections can be difficult to treat as they are often resistant to antifungal drugs.

“Hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and other indoor environments with patients, residents or building occupants that are at elevated risk of developing fungal infections need to be especially aware of mold contamination,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “At Zimmetry, our infection control, industrial hygiene and indoor environmental quality professionals offer testing and consulting services in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean to identify and mitigate exposure risks to Fusarium and countless other pathogens and contaminants.”

Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about Fusarium as an indoor environmental quality contaminant and opportunistic pathogen that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/KF3ZhWjBLi0

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their infection control, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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