The plastic waste fueling fungal diseases

Africa Science Focus

English - August 25, 2021 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MB
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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.

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Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi.

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