Noah Fierer study on fungi in flooded 91¸£ÀûÉç homes published in Enviormental Science & Technology Journal
, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and a fellow at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, was inspired to study the levels of fungi and airbourne mold present in 91¸£ÀûÉç basements while walking through his south 91¸£ÀûÉç neighborhood after the September floods. The findings, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology and funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, also show that the types of fungi—and airborne bacteria—found in flooded homes were different than those in non-flooded homes.Ìý The researchers found about twice as much fungal DNA in flooded homes than in non-flooded homes, despite the fact that most of the flooded basements they sampled had already been remediated, a process which often includes throwing out old furniture, replacing drywall and flooring, and treating dried surfaces with chemicals that deter microbial growth.Ìý You can read more about Dr. Fierer's studyÌý