Fungal contamination: one of the respiratory health aftermaths of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

Although it has been nearly six years since Hurricane Maria impacted Puerto Rico and left island-wide devastation, scientists are still working to further understand the numerous health effects from the aftermath of this catastrophic hurricane. Recently, scientists from the University of Puerto Rico published a study in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health titled “Impact of Hurricane Maria on mold levels in the homes of Piñones, Puerto Rico.” In this study, scientists provide insights into how Hurricane Maria significantly impacted the indoor-built environment, particularly indoor fungal contamination in homes with open ventilation, which is characteristic of Caribbean islands such as Puerto Rico.