It has been known for long that mushrooms are rich in nutrients, but an Indian Institute of Technology Madras study now shows they can be harmful to humans too.

IIT-M researchers have proved that terrestrial mushrooms, to distinguish them from those that grow on trees, are a source of pollutants in atmosphere. Spores released from a few types of mushrooms are a part of atmospheric bioaerosols and potential allergens and plant pathogens too.

The study, conducted on the 687-acre IIT-M campus, found a 17% match between some mushroom species and spores in the atmosphere through a DNA analysis. It also found that spores released from mushrooms disperse in the air over longer distances till they find a host..................Read more

Source: The Times of India