25/08/21

The plastic waste fuelling fungal diseases

Small pieces of plastic litter the coast. Copyright: Image by Sergei Tokmakov Terms.Law from Pixabay

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<h1>The plastic waste fuelling fungal diseases</h1>
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<p><strong>Episode 56</strong></p>
<p>This week we investigate how tiny plastic pieces known as microplastics are contributing to an increase in potentially fatal diseases caused by fungi.</p>
<p>A recent study conducted in western Kenya found that a number of fungal species accumulate on microplastic particles in the soil that can cause serious medical problems such as swelling in the lungs.</p>
<p>Our reporter, Dann Okoth speaks to mycology experts about how these fungal infections are affecting Sub-Saharan Africa.</p>
<p><strong> </strong>Send us your questions from anywhere in the world — text or voice message via WhatsApp to +254799042513.</p>
<p><strong><em>Africa Science Focus</em></strong><strong>, with Selly Amutabi.</strong></p>
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<p><em style="font-family: CaeciliaCom-55Roman, TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: 18px;">This programme was funded by the European Journalism Centre, through the European Development Journalism Grants programme, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.</em></p>
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<p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.scidev.net" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/podcast/the-plastic-waste-fueling-fungal-diseases/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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Episode 56

This week we investigate how tiny plastic pieces known as microplastics are contributing to an increase in potentially fatal diseases caused by fungi.

A recent study conducted in western Kenya found that a number of fungal species accumulate on microplastic particles in the soil that can cause serious medical problems such as swelling in the lungs.

Our reporter, Dann Okoth speaks to mycology experts about how these fungal infections are affecting Sub-Saharan Africa.

Send us your questions from anywhere in the world — text or voice message via WhatsApp to +254799042513.

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi.

This programme was funded by the European Journalism Centre, through the European Development Journalism Grants programme, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.