Exposure to mildew harmful - scientists

MANILA, Philippines - Government scientists have warned the public against the possible effects of exposure to mildew, a plant disease characterized by a cottony, usually whitish coating on the surface of affected parts, caused by any of various fungi.

The Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) said exposure to mildew could pose harm not only to fabrics but also to humans.

“Allergies and sinusitis may develop in people with mild exposure to mildew, and kidney and liver failure to those severely exposed to this fungi,” it said.

The PTRI urged manufacturers to prevent mildew attack on export products made from seagrass, sedge, and unopened leaf of buri palm.

The agency recommended the application of mildewcide on furniture, houseware, fashion accessories and other products made from indigenous fibers such as tikiw (Rhynchospora corymbosa), bangkuang (Actinoscirpus grossus), and raffia (Corypha elata).

According to the PTRI, treatment with mildewcide may be done either to raw materials or fibers or to products before finishing.

In a PTRI study, fibers soaked in mildewcide solution for 10 minutes, drained and dried for two hours, and stored in an incubator, simulating the conditions of products in transit to other countries, showed no visible signs of mildew.

Fibers washed with water and dried showed signs of mildew after a month, and about 40 percent of the fiber area was affected after four months, the agency said.

The other set of fibers, which was neither washed nor treated with mildewcide, attracted white spots and hairy mildew after two weeks. After four months, 80 percent of the fiber area had visible mold growth, it said.

The PTRI said export products made from indigenous fibers are prone to mildew formation, especially during storage and shipment, when products are kept in areas with poor ventilation and warm and humid conditions.

Mildews are either powdery or hairy gray to blue or gray-green fungi that coat plant- or animal-based products. These molds degrade the quality of the products, making them unacceptable to foreign markets, the PTRI said.

The PTRI is the Department of Science and Technology’s lead agency in textile research and development.

It supports the local textile and allied industries by promoting the use of indigenous resources and developing technical competence in these industries.