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Dust entry

Histoplasma-contaminated soil dust

Dust and airborne fungal spores released from soil or material contaminated with Histoplasma, especially soil containing bird or bat droppings.

Airborne form

dust

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

histoplasmosispulmonary infectionchronic pulmonary disease concerndisseminated infection concern

Evidence

CDC/NIOSH states that Histoplasma lives particularly in soil containing bird or bat droppings and that people can develop histoplasmosis after breathing microscopic fungal spores from the air.

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Overview
The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in soil that contains large amounts of bird or bat droppings. People can get histoplasmosis after breathing in the microscopic fungal spores (also known as conidia) from the air.

NIOSH advises reducing or eliminating dust when removing bird or bat droppings or doing construction, excavation, or demolition in areas where Histoplasma is present, including by spraying water or using other dust-suppression methods.

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Fungal diseases to watch out for / Work activities that might increase your risk · 6
Steps to reduce risk of histoplasmosis include ... Eliminate or reduce dust if you must remove droppings or if you are doing construction, excavation, or demolition in areas where Histoplasma is present in the environment (for example, spray water or use other dust suppression techniques).

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