Chemists find fungal shrapnel in the air

Date posted
Funding Agency
(Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy)

Chemists at the University of California, Irvine have discovered nanoscale fragments of fungal cells in the atmosphere. The pieces are extremely small, measuring about 30 nanometers in diameter, and are more abundant than previously thought. These bits of fungus are easier to inhale deep into the lungs than intact cells, which means they may contribute to fungus-related allergic reactions and asthma among susceptible people.