Pillows Likely Infected With Fungus

[Guest guest]

Hello Group,

I just got this news report which came out of the University of Manchester this

past week regarding our pillows. Scientists at the University found thousands

of fungal spores in these pillows that they tested. It is recommended to change

her pillow every six months. The article is below.

Du Pre

Website: http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/soareagle/index.html

" By words the mind is winged. " Aristophanes

Source: University of Manchester

Date: 2005-10-15

URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051015093046.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pillows: A Hot Bed Of Fungal Spores

Researchers at The University of Manchester funded by the Fungal Research Trust

have discovered millions of fungal spores right under our noses -- in our

pillows.

Aspergillus fumigatus, the species most commonly found in the pillows, is most

likely to cause disease; and the resulting condition Aspergillosis has become

the leading infectious cause of death in leukaemia and bone marrow transplant

patients. Fungi also exacerbate asthma in adults.

The researchers dissected both feather and synthetic samples and identified

several thousand spores of fungus per gram of used pillow - more than a million

spores per pillow.

Fungal contamination of bedding was first studied in 1936, but there have been

no reports in the last seventy years. For this new study, which was published

online today in the scientific journal Allergy, the team studied samples from

ten pillows with between 1.5 and 20 years of regular use.

Each pillow was found to contain a substantial fungal load, with four to 16

different species being identified per sample and even higher numbers found in

synthetic pillows. The microscopic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus was particularly

evident in synthetic pillows, and fungi as diverse as bread and vine moulds and

those usually found on damp walls and in showers were also found.

Professor Woodcock who led the research said: " We know that pillows are

inhabited by the house dust mite which eats fungi, and one theory is that the

fungi are in turn using the house dust mites' faeces as a major source of

nitrogen and nutrition (along with human skin scales). There could therefore be

a 'miniature ecosystem' at work inside our pillows. "

Aspergillus is a very common fungus, carried in the air as well as being found

in cellars, household plant pots, compost, computers and ground pepper and

spices. Invasive Aspergillosis occurs mainly in the lungs and sinuses, although

it can spread to other organs such as the brain, and is becoming increasingly

common across other patient groups. It is very difficult to treat, and as many

as 1 in 25 patients who die in modern European teaching hospitals have the

disease.

Immuno-compromised patients such as transplantation, AIDS and steroid treatment

patients are also frequently affected with life-threatening Aspergillus

pneumonia and sinusitis. Fortunately, hospital pillows have plastic covers and

so are unlikely to cause problems, but patients being discharged home - where

pillows may be old and fungus-infected - could be at risk of infection.

Aspergillus can also worsen asthma, particularly in adults who have had asthma

for many years, and cause allergic sinusitis in patients with allergic

tendencies. Constant exposure to fungus in bed could be problematic. It can also

get into the lung cavities created by tuberculosis which affects a third of the

world's population, causing general ill-health and bleeding in the lung, as well

as causing a range of plant and animal diseases.

Dr Geoffrey , Chairman of the Fungal Research Trust which funded the study,

said: " These new findings are potentially of major significance to people with

allergic diseases of the lungs and damaged immune systems - especially those

being sent home from hospital. "

Professor Woodcock added: " Since patients spend a third of their life

sleeping and breathing close to a potentially large and varied source of fungi,

these findings certainly have important implications for patients with

respiratory disease - especially asthma and sinusitis. "

###

The Fungal Research Trust (www.fungalresearchtrust.org) is a registered charity

which funds research into and education about fungal infection. It was set up in

1991 and since then has distributed in excess of£1 .6m in research grants

resulting in more than 80 research publications in clinical and scientific

aspects of fungal infection. It also supports the Aspergillus Website which

achieves around 160,000 page requests a month. As well as being a key resource

for clinicians, the website also devotes a section to patients and relatives to

help them understand more about the disease. It can be found at

www.aspergillus.man.ac.uk.

By the way, here is a list of contributors to the Fungal Research Trust, the

" charitable organization " that funded this research: Fujisawa Corp., Oxford

Glycosciences, F2G Ltd, Chronic Granulomatous Disorder Research Trust,

Aventis, Janssen Research Foundation, Roche, Schering Plough Corporation,

The Liposome Company, Merck, Imedex, Bristol Myers Squibb, Aronex Ltd,

Vestar Inc, Eli Lilly, BioMerieux, Alza Corporation, Pfizer Inc, Zeneca

Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Phairson Ltd., GlaxoWellcome, The Gossett Trust,

The Clear Group, British Medical Association, Basilea, Valeant and

Orthobiotech.

Question: Are the pharmaceutical companies funding this trust out of the

kindness of their hearts, or is it a way of maximizing shareholder value? If

a pharmaceutical company wants to do some research that is risky to people,

the company can avoid liability by having the work done by a " charitable "

trust. The trust can even collect money from the public, and use it to fund

research that will eventually end in a profitable product.

University of Manchester October 14, 2005

[Guest guest]

So does this imply that the fungi are breathed in thru cloth

pillowcases? I am assuming of course that most people use some

sort of cotton pillowcase, or maybe polyester, but whatever,

if so, maybe a more dense weave of cotton would solve the problem.

Or what about silk pillowcases? It just seems odd to me that the

study doesn't meantion anything about pillowcases used at home,

although it does say that hospitals use plastic ones.

Mike C.

>

> Hello Group,

> I just got this news report which came out of the University of

Manchester this

> past week regarding our pillows. Scientists at the University

found thousands

> of fungal spores in these pillows that they tested.

Aspergillus<<<snip<<<

> pneumonia and sinusitis. Fortunately, hospital pillows have

plastic covers and

> so are unlikely to cause problems, but patients being discharged

home - where

> pillows may be old and fungus-infected - could be at risk of

infection.

[Guest guest]

I wonder if the polyester dustmite covers would help.

Cheers,

Carol

> >

> > Hello Group,

> > I just got this news report which came out of the University of

> Manchester this

> > past week regarding our pillows. Scientists at the University

> found thousands

> > of fungal spores in these pillows that they tested.

> Aspergillus<<<snip<<<

> > pneumonia and sinusitis. Fortunately, hospital pillows have

> plastic covers and

> > so are unlikely to cause problems, but patients being discharged

> home - where

> > pillows may be old and fungus-infected - could be at risk of

> infection.

>

[Guest guest]

This has been on several lists. Solutions:

1) Get new pillows. I like feather down pillows so I ordered new ones

and I am the type with big european style pillows piled up on my bed.

2) Every few weeks or so throw the pillows (sans cover) into the dryer

which will kill the dust mites. The dust mites and fungi kind of work

together. Kill the mites, no feces for fungi to eat.

3) The pillows studied were 1.5 to 20 years old. So replace your

pillow every year?

[Guest guest]

I am allergic to feathers so I use a cotton barrier cloth cover for my

pillows

[Guest guest]

I tested allergic to ducks/feathers and wool and other natural things too so do

be careful and don't 'assume' that those things are not w/o risk either :-/

Marcia

Re: Pillows Likely Infected With Fungus

This has been on several lists. Solutions:

1) Get new pillows. I like feather down pillows so I ordered new ones

and I am the type with big european style pillows piled up on my bed.

2) Every few weeks or so throw the pillows (sans cover) into the dryer

which will kill the dust mites. The dust mites and fungi kind of work

together. Kill the mites, no feces for fungi to eat.

3) The pillows studied were 1.5 to 20 years old. So replace your

pillow every year?

[Guest guest]

I didn't say they were no risk. They're okay for me, that's all.

Can't stand foam. Much more chemically sensitive. Do okay with

natural things.

>

> I tested allergic to ducks/feathers and wool and other natural

things too so do be careful and don't 'assume' that those things are

not w/o risk either :-/

>

> Marcia

> Re: Pillows Likely Infected With

Fungus

>

>

> This has been on several lists. Solutions:

>

> 1) Get new pillows. I like feather down pillows so I ordered new

ones

> and I am the type with big european style pillows piled up on my

bed.

> 2) Every few weeks or so throw the pillows (sans cover) into the

dryer

> which will kill the dust mites. The dust mites and fungi kind of

work

> together. Kill the mites, no feces for fungi to eat.

> 3) The pillows studied were 1.5 to 20 years old. So replace your

> pillow every year?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I personally use and recommend 100% cotton pillows, pillow protectors

and pillow cases.

Regards, Blake

jill1313 wrote:

> I didn't say they were no risk. They're okay for me, that's all.

> Can't stand foam. Much more chemically sensitive. Do okay with

> natural things.

>

>

> >

> > I tested allergic to ducks/feathers and wool and other natural

> things too so do be careful and don't 'assume' that those things are

> not w/o risk either :-/

> >

> > Marcia

> > Re: Pillows Likely Infected With

> Fungus

> >

> >

> > This has been on several lists. Solutions:

> >

> > 1) Get new pillows. I like feather down pillows so I ordered new

> ones

> > and I am the type with big european style pillows piled up on my

> bed.

> > 2) Every few weeks or so throw the pillows (sans cover) into the

> dryer

> > which will kill the dust mites. The dust mites and fungi kind of

> work

> > together. Kill the mites, no feces for fungi to eat.

> > 3) The pillows studied were 1.5 to 20 years old. So replace your

> > pillow every year?

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I can see those would be very good too. I wonder if they are soft. In

any case I already ordered down/feather pillows at an online

wholesaler, very good prices, and am eager for them to arrive. I'll

have to wash the pillow covers again though.

After reading that fungi article I washed all my bedding, including

my comforter, which is filled with wool batting. That was not a good

idea. Now its all bunched up and hard in places. I guess I need a new

one

> > >

> > > I tested allergic to ducks/feathers and wool and other natural

> > things too so do be careful and don't 'assume' that those things

are

> > not w/o risk either :-/

> > >

> > > Marcia

> > > Re: Pillows Likely Infected With

> > Fungus

> > >

> > >

> > > This has been on several lists. Solutions:

> > >

> > > 1) Get new pillows. I like feather down pillows so I ordered

new

> > ones

> > > and I am the type with big european style pillows piled up on

my

> > bed.

> > > 2) Every few weeks or so throw the pillows (sans cover) into

the

> > dryer

> > > which will kill the dust mites. The dust mites and fungi kind

of

> > work

> > > together. Kill the mites, no feces for fungi to eat.

> > > 3) The pillows studied were 1.5 to 20 years old. So replace

your

> > > pillow every year?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I have been told by a reliable source that feather/down pillows

or fd sofas are bad for sinuses which would probly translate into

being bad for CFS. Can't remember why, but as I remember,

polyester/cotton was recommended. Now that I think about it,

I was told this by an ENT a when I was developing sinus problems,

a year or two before CFS got me. FWIW.

Mike C

>

> This has been on several lists. Solutions:

>

> 1) Get new pillows. I like feather down pillows so I ordered new

ones

> and I am the type with big european style pillows piled up on my bed.

> 2) Every few weeks or so throw the pillows (sans cover) into the

dryer

> which will kill the dust mites. The dust mites and fungi kind of

work

> together. Kill the mites, no feces for fungi to eat.

> 3) The pillows studied were 1.5 to 20 years old. So replace your

> pillow every year?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi CBuf,

> I am allergic to feathers so I use a cotton barrier cloth cover for my

> pillows

Where do you buy your cotton barrier cloth? Can you wash it in very

hot water without damaging it?

I bought barrier-type pillow covers, but after I washed them a coating

on one side of the fabric began to peel off.

Sue ,

Upstate New York

[Guest guest]

Hi Blake,

> I personally use and recommend 100% cotton pillows, pillow protectors

> and pillow cases.

Can you wash all three in very hot water? Does the cotton pillow get

hard, the way an all-cotton futon does?

Sue ,

Upstate New York

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have never washed the cotton pillow but wash the pillow cases and

covers regularly. I hang the pillows in the sun. I've only had my pillow

~3 months but it's fine so far.

Blake

wrote:

> Hi Blake,

>

> > I personally use and recommend 100% cotton pillows, pillow protectors

> > and pillow cases.

>

> Can you wash all three in very hot water? Does the cotton pillow get

> hard, the way an all-cotton futon does?

>

> Sue ,

> Upstate New York

>

>

>

> This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with

> each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any

> treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I " ve been looking into this too. What annoys me is the outrageous

prices charged for cotton pillows, as cotton is cheap, so they're

basically taking advantage of the market. One site says if you dry

your cotton pillow with 3 tennis balls it won't bunch up. Sounds

suspicious to me. Then I see there are pillows with wool filling and

with silk filling. Also expensive. My wool filled comforter, I just

ruined by washing it, and the wool got bunched up in places so I've

ordered a new one.

I'm almost tempted to just put my pillows in the drier on high for 30

minutes and let them be. THey are so nice and soft (Down) I can't

imagine other materials would be as comfy. ANd I really don't want to

spend $300 to replace all the pillows I have (European style, for

relaxing in bed)

>

> Hi Blake,

>

> > I personally use and recommend 100% cotton pillows, pillow

protectors

> > and pillow cases.

>

> Can you wash all three in very hot water? Does the cotton pillow

get

> hard, the way an all-cotton futon does?

>

> Sue ,

> Upstate New York

>

[Guest guest]

You can wash barrier cloth in hot water, but you need to get 100% cotton

though. The one you bought had a plasticized layer I am sure. You need to avoid

that

I bought mine a long time ago, maybe from Janice's.

They are expensive but it is worth it because the last a long time & a safe

pillow is essential to your health because your head is on it for at least 8

hours a day & you do not want to be breathing in dust mites or fungus etc.

_Natural and Organic Bedding_

(http://www.janices.com/index.cfm/action/catalog.browse/category/Natural_and_Org\

anic_Bedding/id_category/63683c7e-126b-4ffc-9

d46-28cc0b0ca6d6)

_Organic Barrier Covers to protect your mattress & pillows from dust mites,

mold and bacteria - We price match!_

(http://www.pureslumber.com/Organic-BarrierCloths.htm)

_Euphoria Dust Mite Pillow and Mattress Covers - 100% Organic Cotton_

(http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/euphoria-dust-mite-covers.html)