"not intended to create fear and panic but rather to begin necessary dialogue and awareness"

The problem is most prevalent when marijuana is placed in plastic bags.  However, there is potential for fungus development in quantities of moist marijuana placed in paper.  Residual moisture in the marijuana encourages bacterial growth, which in turn facilitates the growth of molds.

Current knowledge indicates that "this fungi can thrive at elevated temperatures.  It tends to be abundant in damp, decaying vegetation heated by bacterial fermentation.  As the temperature rises, other micro-organisms cease to grow, but Aspergilli will flourish under these conditions and can almost become a pure culture."¹  Only a few of these molds can cause disease in humans.

Aspergillus Fumigatus is diagnosed in 90% of all Aspergillus infections.  Initially a threadlike flat white growth, it becomes a powdery, blue-green mold as consequence of production of spores.  Handling the decaying material can result in an inhalation exposure to the spores.

Anyone working with such decaying plant material may be subject to potential health hazards arising from Aspergillus.  Physicians have found these spores in the ears, nose and lungs of humans.

While Aspergillus is considered opportunistic fungi, most people are naturally immune and do not develop Aspergillus related disease, Aspergillosis.  The severity of Aspergillosis is related to various factors including the state of an individual's immune system or the presence of a predisposed condition.  Thus, persons with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of infection.  Most initial infections are as result of inhalation of spores and involve the respiratory system.  When the disease does occur, it takes several forms.

Aspergillosis can range from sinusitis conditions to pulmonary infections as severe as  pneumonia.  Allergic aspergillosis typically becomes chronic.  Continued colonization of the spores in the body may result in the continuation of a chronic condition or can become invasive.²

Aspergillus disease can occur in the sinuses leading to Aspergillus Sinusitis.  In individuals with normal immune systems, stuffiness of the nose, chronic headache or discomfort of the face is common.  Drainage of the sinus, by surgery, usually cures the problem, unless the Aspergillus has entered the sinuses deep inside the skull.  Then antifungal drugs and surgery are usually successful.

When individuals have damaged immune systems such as is caused by leukemia or a bone marrow transplant, Aspergillus Sinusitis is more threatening.  This type of sinusitis is a form of invasive aspergillosis.  Symptoms include fever, facial pain, nasal discharge and headaches.  Diagnosis is made by finding the fungus in fluid or tissue from the sinuses and with scans.  Powerful antifungal drugs are essential in the treatment.  Surgery is done in most cases as a step in determining exactly the nature of the problem and is often helpful in eradicating the fungus.³

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) results where an allergy to the mold spores develops.  This condition is quite common in asthmatics; up to 20% of asthmatics might get this at some time during their lives.  The symptoms are similar to those of asthma; intermittent episodes of feeling unwell, coughing and wheezing.  Some patients cough up brown colored plugs of mucus.  Diagnosis can be made by X-ray or by sputum, skin and blood tests.  If untreated, long term ABPA can lead to pen-nanent lung damage.⁴

Many people with damaged or impaired immune systems die from invasive aspergillosis.  The earlier the diagnosis is made the higher their chance of survival.  Unfortunately, there is no good diagnostic test.  Often, treatment has to be initiated when the condition is only suspected.

This condition is usually clinically diagnosed in persons with low defenses resulting from medical conditions such as bone marrow transplant, low white cells after chemotherapy, AIDS or major bums are at moderate risk of infection.  A rare inherited condition that gives people low immunity (chronic granulomatous disease) also puts these people at moderate risk.  Individuals with invasive aspergillosis usually have a fever and symptoms from the lungs (cough, chest pain or discomfort or breathlessness) which do not respond to standard antibiotics.⁵

In extreme cases, the fungus can transfer from the lungs through the blood stream to the brain and other organs, including the eyes, the heart, the kidneys and the skin.  Usually this is a sign that the individual has a severe infection with a higher risk of death.  However, sometimes infection of the skin enables an earlier diagnosis and treatment.⁶

This is a rather extensive explanation of Aspergillis and the resulting Aspergillosis conditions.  It is not intended to create fear and panic but rather to begin necessary dialogue and awareness.  Most individuals will never be confronted with the more serious aspergillosis conditions.  However, many are potentially in a position for aspergillus exposure in the property and evidence room that could result in their developing sensitivity to this fungus.

So, what can be done to avoid aspergillus exposures and other ancillary problems?  Part 2, What Can Be Done About Aspergillus; will attempt to address some of these issues.