Identifying Aspergillus in the Built Environment to Protect Patients and Building Occupants

Aspergillus is a common type of mold that can often be found outdoors and in indoor environments that have suffered water damage or elevated humidity levels. While most healthy people breathe Aspergillus spores without infection concerns, some species are known to be an infection risk for individuals with weakened immune systems or lung disease. These infections are known as aspergillosis.

Various types of aspergillosis include:

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
• Azole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus
• Aspergilloma
• Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
• Invasive aspergillosis
• Cutaneous aspergillosis

Of the 180 or so species of Aspergillus, fewer than 40 of them are known to cause infections in humans according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency lists Aspergillus fumigatus as the most common cause of human infections. Some of the other infectious species include A. flavus, A. terreus, A. nidulans, A. niger, and A. versicolor.

“Inhalation exposure is how aspergillosis typically starts, although occasional outbreaks of cutaneous infection have been traced to contaminated biomedical devices,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “In healthcare environments, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) due to Aspergillus have been associated with dust exposure during building renovations and construction. Even for people not at high risk, Aspergillus can act as an allergen, respiratory irritant, and even trigger an asthma attack in some people with the condition.”

To help prevent infections and other health concerns, the indoor environmental quality, infection control, and industrial hygiene professionals at CTSI offer building assessments, testing, monitoring, consulting, and training services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to Aspergillus and other microbial pathogens. CTSI also recently sponsored an educational video about aspergillosis and Aspergillus that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/65UByEn6Oxc

To learn more about this or other infection control, industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com, or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI’s reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail