MRG Report: The ‘Brown Rain’ Event
The ‘Brown Rain’ Event
Remember the odd “rain” that
left Chico’s cars streaked with brown ash-like residue? What follows is
MRG’s report from Marla Crites and Betty Credit:
The Weather Event of May 14, 2012
In the words of one of our members who was awake during the night of the strange rain…
“It was called rain, however,
myself, my son, and others I have spoken to, did not feel the wetness of
the drops. The water seemed to dissipate at touch. At 2:30 a.m.,
my son woke me up to tell me of the powder that had covered my car. At
the time, I thought it was pollen from the trees, blown off from the
rain. However, upon morning, I definitely had questions about what had
actually happened the night prior. My car, and all others I saw in my
immediate area, were covered with a tan-colored light ash. It was such a
fine powder; yet, I could not drive my car without washing my window.
One of the creepiest experiences was driving to the store. Every car I
passed, that had obviously been exposed was covered with the same thing.
Then, to top things off, I had to go to the car wash to clean my car,
because it looked like it was covered in volcanic ash!! When I got to
the car wash, there was a line of cars that was unprecedented. Every car
was covered with the same thing. By the time I exited the wash, the
cars in line were uncountable. No explanation, no one seemed bothered by
this ‘EVENT’.”
Adding to her description: Each car was
not only covered in a fine tan powder, but there were often streaks
through the powder as if made by water. The “ash” was not easy to scrape
off the windshields, but I managed to obtain several samples for
testing.
The Official Explanation
The Enterprise Record newspaper
ran a story the next day in which Anthony Watts, longtime local
meteorologist, was interviewed. He surmised that agricultural activity
had raised a great deal of dust which an updraft carried to the upper
atmosphere from where it fell as the “brown rain”. It is true that
plumes of dust did rise as farmers worked the dry fields. (although this
happens every year) I enquired of the Air Quality Board and the Public
Health Environmental people as to what they thought had caused this
strange event. They all lined up behind Anthony’s explanation and had no
plans to test any of the resulting powder.
Chico Sky Watch Tests
A ranch manager in Durham tasted (yes!)
the powder, said it was vile and not dirt or pollen. A CSW member poured
purified water on her solar panel, caught it at the bottom in a clean
bowl, and took it to Basic Lab. Results were 52,000 ppb aluminum, 480
barium and 413 strontium. To put these numbers in perspective, aluminum
should be 0.5 ppb and 1,000 ppb is the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level and
Mandatory Action Level. There should be no barium or strontium in rain.
So these numbers are exceedingly and alarmingly high.
We sent a sample of the powder to Larry
Meyer in Oregon who cultured it and sent the growths on to Pro-Lab in
Florida. Results were that 6 different, not uncommon molds were present.
The molds are known to cause asthma, hay fever and allergies. Links to
both lab reports follow.
Basic Lab Report
Unanswered Questions:
1. Is there any way to distinguish natural soil based aluminum from the aluminum oxide that is a component of aerosol spray?
2. How likely is it that dust from farming activities would account for the 52K ppb in the rain?
3. How abnormal for rainfall is the type and amount of molds identified by Pro-Lab?
4. Is there mold in “normal” rainwater?
Chico Rain Lab Report
(Gratitude to Larry Meyer, MRG Senior Research Associate)
Recently, Morgellons Research Group
(MRG) received an interesting specimen from Chico Skywatch, collected
from a most unusual rainstorm which fell over a sizable area of Butte
County, California. Marla Crites of Chico Skywatch in submitting the
specimen wrote that “brown rain” had fallen on this locale on May 14,
2012.
Chico Sample As Received by L. Meyer
Chico sample as it began to bloom in agar (L. Meyer)
The Chico sample as sent to Pro-Labs (L. Meyer)
MRG performed a microscopic
examination/photography of the brown finely granular sample and placed a
portion in agar to observe what might grow. The resulting “bloom” was
sent to our laboratory for identification. Six varieties of fungal
material were identified.
The ProLab Report
Dr. Richie Shoemaker, MD of Pocomoke, Maryland, in his book MOLD WARRIORS, states that there is evidence several fungal varieties that may have been “weaponized”.
At
this time, Morgellons Research Group wishes to initiate a research
project to study rain and snow precipitates and is pleased to invite you
to precipitate. It is our desire to collect data from the various areas
where Skywatch groups are active. Data obtained would be shared with
participating groups and published on MRG’s website.
The Second Collection Sent to the Lab
by Larry Meyer
On June 28th, I used a clean petri dish
to capture the first five raindrops to fall that day at my location on
the Oregon Coast. Agar was added and a bloom began within a day. Shown
is one of several varieties of Fungus from that rain:
THE FINDINGS
ProLab Report sent to L. Meyer
In July 2012, Larry Meyer also collected this specimen from rain. An
artifact found in rain on the Oregon Coast- July 3, 2012 – 0.5 x 0.5mm.
Image Credit to Larry Meyer
Six (6) species of Fungi and One (1) yeast were found in both of these samples:
Cladophialophora was found in Portland, Oregon
For comparison, one can
see that a mixture of these could be devastating, not only to crops,
ocean life but human life as well. How did these spores and mycelia come
together and form a brown rain? Yellow rain is very similar. Red rain
is from an algae.
I. Cladosporium, (found in both Samples of Brown Rain) Examples of Cladosporium
A . Cladosporium …..C Herbarum
Allergen Exposure
Spores of Cladosporium spp.
probably occur more abundantly worldwide than any other spore type and
are the dominant airborne spores in many areas, especially in temperate
climates. (1, 2, 3, 4) Although C. cladosporioides may be the most prevalent airborne species, C. herbarum frequently
dominates indoor and outdoor air and is a major source of fungal
inhalant allergens. (3, 5)There are about 500 species of Cladosporium.
Many are saprophytic on plant litter.
C. herbarum is widely distributed in our environment and is a major source of fungal inhalant allergen. (4) C. herbarum
is one of the most common environmental fungi to be isolated worldwide.
It occurs abundantly on fading or dead leaves of herbaceous and woody
plants, as a secondary invader on necrotic leaf spots, and has
frequently been isolated from air, foodstuffs, paints, textiles, humans
and numerous other substrates. It is also known to occur on old
carpophores of mushrooms and other fungi and as a common endophyte,
especially in temperate regions. Under favourable climatic conditions C. herbarum also germinates and grows as an epiphyte on the surface of green, healthy leaves. (6)
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B. Cladosporium: C. carrionii and C. yegresii
Fig. 7. Conidial morphology in selected branches of (upper row: A-C) C. carrionii, strain CBS 260.83; (lower row: D-F) C. yegresii, strain CBS 114405. In this respect the two species are identical. Scale bar = 10
C. Cladosporium elatum, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and Cladosporium cladosporioides.
Cladosporium is the
genera most frequently encountered in both outdoor and indoor air. It is
frequently found in elevated levels in water-damaged environments. Some
species may be resistant to certain types of treated lumber.
Cladosporium appears gray to black or very dark green and can have a
powdery appearance. The genus Cladosporium includes over 30 species. The
most common ones include Cladosporium elatum, Cladosporium herbarum,
Cladosporium sphaerospermum,
and Cladosporium cladosporioides. http://www.mold-help.org/content/view/414/.
E. More information on Cladosporiums
Cladosporium is one of the molds that
cause the most allergy symptoms, producing a positive skin reaction in
allergy-sensitive individuals. In certain people, a high concentration
of mold is not needed to trigger a reaction. Those most at risk to
develop allergic reactions are infants, children, pregnant women, and
the elderly.
http://www.moldunit.com/cladosporium.html
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms most common to Cladosporium
mold are: congested or runny nose, sinus problems, red and watery eyes,
skin irritation, fatigue, sore throat, cough and hoarseness. Over time,
more serious symptoms may develop such as, ear inflammation; nose bleeds
and joint pain, without swelling
C. herbarum produces enzymes which are used in the transformation of
steroid intermediates such as pregnenolone and progesterone,
biologically important hormones used in the industrial production of
oral contraceptives.
http://www.emlab.com/app/fungi/Fungi.po?event=fungi&type=primary&species=13
Pathogenicity and Clinical Significance Cladosporium spp. are causative agents of skin lesions, keratitis, onychomycosis, sinusitis and pulmonary infections.
II. Epicoccum, the second Fungi found in Brown Rain (Examples)
A. Fungus of the Month: Epicoccum – By Dawne Yates
Epicoccum
(phonetic: Epp-ee-cock-um) is a very common fungus that is an early
secondary invader on all sorts of plants, particularly damaged plant
tissue, and is often found on leaf spots with other fungi. It has been
isolated from air, moldy paper, plant materials, animals, insects,
foodstuffs, textiles, soil, and occasionally occurs in house dust. It is
mostly saprophytic (obtaining food from dead or decaying organic
matter), or weakly parasitic. It is ubiquitous in nature (found
everywhere) and is commonly found in outdoor air. It is known to be very
resistant to changes in water activity; having been known to resume
growth after long periods of drying.
Figure 1: Drawings of Epicoccum
Copyright © 2006 Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc.
Spores are produced very quickly and our
MoldRange™
data shows the highest recovery rate, of about 30% to 35%, in the
summer and the lowest recovery rate, of about 10% to 15%, in the winter.
See Figure 2 below.
Figure 2: Frequency of detection and spore density by month for Epicoccum.
The gray bars represent
the frequency of detection, from 0 to 1 (1=100%), graphed against the
left axis. The red, green, and purple lines represent the 2.5, 50, and
97.5 percentile airborne spore densities, when recovered, graphed
against the right hand axis. (
Source:
EMLab™ MoldRange data. Total sample size for this graph: 39,878.)
Morphology
In culture, Epicoccum is fast
growing on general fungal media, and produces colonies which are woolly
and/or downy in appearance. Colony colors include yellow, orange, red or
brown. As the colony ages they usually become darker and black dots
(spores growing on colonies) may be observed on the colony surface.
These are tufts of hyphae that are cushion-shaped, non-convoluted and
are called sporodochium (a cushion-like mass of conidiophores, conidia
and conidiogenous cells produced above the substrate).
When observed on spore trap samples, immature
Epicoccum
spores may look round, non-septate, and may be pale in color, whereas
when they are mature, can appear rough, warty-looking and brown to black
in color, with both transverse and oblique septa, which makes them
resemble a soccer ball. The broad attachment area at the base is often
visible. Mature spores are most commonly 15-25 µm in diameter, but are
also seen smaller and much larger (up to 50 µm diameter). Intact spores
are distinctive, however young immature spores may be confused with
Ulocladium,
Stemphylium or possibly
Alternaria. On a tape lift,
Epicoccum is easily distinguishable providing the growth is mature enough to include the conidiophores and conidia.
Figure 3: Single Epicoccum spore in air sample.
Copyright © 2006 Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc.
Health Effects
B. Non-Food Allergy — fungus, Epicoccum
An Epicoccum fungus allergy is an adverse reaction by the
body’s
immune system to spores produced by a fungus called Epicoccum.
Epicoccum tends to be found in grassland and agricultural areas.
Symptoms tend to occur in a seasonal pattern as spore production by
molds tends to increase and decrease with changes in seasons. The
specific symptoms that can result can vary amongst patients.
http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/n/non_food_allergy_fungus_epicoccum/intro.htm
Epicoccum is a dematiaceous mitosporic
mould widely distributed and commonly isolated from air, soil and
foodstuff. It is found also in some animals and textiles. It is the
common causative agent of leaf spots of various plants. The genus
Epicoccum contains a single species, Epicoccum purpurascens.
Epicoccum grows rapidly and produces
woolly to cottony or felty colonies on potato dextrose agar at 25?C.
From the front, the colonies are yellow to orange, orange to red or pink
initially and become greenish brown to black by aging. From the
reverse, the same color is observed but is usually more intense than in
the front view. Epicoccum may produce a diffusable pigment which turns
the color of the inoculated medium to yellow, orange, red or brown.
Black dots (100-2000 ?m in diameter) may be observed macroscopically on
the colony surface. These are the tufts of hyphae which have
conidiophores on their surface. These tufts of hyphae are cushion-shaped
and nonconvoluted and are called sporodochia.
http://www.mold-help.org/content/view/416/
III. Fusarium: The Third Fungus Found in Brown Rain
Is this where the Fungal Agent crosses the Border to Bioweapon Agent?
A. Fusarium sporotrichoides
Contamination was
found
in affected grain in 1932, spurring research for medical purposes and
for use in biological warfare. … The Soviets were accused of using the
agent, dubbed “yellow
rain“, to cause 6,300 deaths in Laos, Kampuchea, and Afghanistan …
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusarium_infections
B. 5 types of Fusarium
Fungal microbiota from rain water and pathogenicity of Fusarium species isolated from atmospheric dust and rainfall dust.
Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology »
Fungal microbiota from rain water and pathogenicity of Fusarium…
Summary
In order to determine the presence of
Fusarium spp. in atmospheric dust and rainfall dust, samples were
collected during September 2007, and July, August, and October 2008. The
results reveal the prevalence of airborne Fusarium species coming from
the atmosphere of the South East coast of Spain. Five different Fusarium
species were isolated from the settling dust: Fusarium oxysporum, F.
solani, F. equiseti, F. dimerum, and F. proliferatum. Moreover,
rainwater samples were obtained during significant rainfall events in
January and February 2009. Using the dilution-plate method, 12 fungal
genera were identified from these rainwater samples. Specific analyses
of the rainwater revealed the presence of three species of Fusarium: F.
oxysporum, F. proliferatum and F. equiseti. A total of 57 isolates of
Fusarium spp. obtained from both rainwater and atmospheric rainfall dust
sampling were inoculated onto melon (Cucumis melo L.) cv. Piñonet and
tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. San Pedro. These species were
chosen because they are the main herbaceous crops in Almeria province.
The results presented in this work indicate strongly that spores or
propagules of Fusarium are able to cross the continental barrier carried
by winds from the Sahara (Africa) to crop or coastal lands in Europe.
Results show differences in the pathogenicity of the isolates tested.
Both hosts showed root rot when inoculated with different species of
Fusarium, although fresh weight measurements did not bring any
information about the pathogenicity. The findings presented above are
strong indications that long-distance transmission of Fusarium
propagules may occur. Diseases caused by species of Fusarium are common
in these areas. They were in the past, and are still today, a problem
for greenhouses crops in AlmerÃa, and many species have been listed as
pathogens on agricultural crops in this region. Saharan air masses
dominate the Mediterranean regions. The evidence of long distance
dispersal of Fusarium spp. by atmospheric dust and rainwater together
with their proved pathogenicity must be taken into account in
epidemiological studies.
1. Fusarium Oxysporum
2. Fusarium Solani ~ Fusarium solani macronidia
Fusarium solani. Mature
macronidia showing the truncate foot cell at the attachment end, and
immature macronidia still attached to the phialides. × 1000.Photograph
by Merton F. Brown and Harold G. Brotzman from the APS Press slide
collection, Phytopathogenic Fungi: Scanning Electron Micrographs
http://www.apsnet.org/publications/imageresources/Pages/phyto31.aspx
Fusarium equiseti 1 Submitted by
Paul Cannon on Mon, 02/27/2012 – 18:17
4. Fusarium Dimerum
5. Fusarium Proliferatum
(a) Wet mount of abscess
fluid, stained with Fungi-Fluor, showing septate branching hyphae with
parallel walls and hyphae that are irregular in diameter (original
magnification, ×200). (b) Tip of the plant spine, which had been
inoculated directly into a 12B Bactec bottle upon removal from the
abscess, covered with mold after 2 days of growth. (c) Smear of plant
spine culture, stained with lactophenol aniline blue, showing abundant
clavate to pyriform microconidia and rare, slightly bent, sickle-shaped
macroconidia (original magnification, ×400). (d) A differential
interference contrast microscopy image of
F. proliferatum
demonstrates slender, branched septate hyphae with conidiophores arising
laterally from hyphae (original magnification, ×640); conidiogenous
cells bear apical falcate or nearly straight, septate macroconidia.
http://jcm.asm.org/content/48/1/338/F2.expansion.html
IV. The Fourth Fungus found in Brown Rain
A. Rhizopus/Mucor
B. Rhizopus, up close
Title: Rhizopus
Text: Rhizopus
is a common bread mold. The pink lines are the hyphae, the dark pink
ovals are individual zygosporangia, that are produced when two
individuals (a positive and negative mating type) meet. This is shown in
more detail under high magnification. (400x)
V. The Fifth Fungi Found in Brown Rain: Ulocladium
A. General Information about Ulocladium
9+ species
What are some of Ulocladiums molds characteristics?
Grows well on general cellulose surfaces.
Where does Ulocladium grow outside?
Often found growing in soil, dung, paint, grasses, fibers, wood, decaying plant material, paper, and textiles.
Where does Ulocladium grow inside?
Grows indoors on cellulose containing
materials such as gypsum board, paper, paint, tapestries, jute, other
straw materials. Ulocladium has a high water requirement.
Is Ulocladium “black mold”?
The term black mold (also “toxic black
mold”) is not scientific but is widely used by the media to usually
reference Stachybotrys molds.
Health Concerns about Ulocladium
Is Ulocladium a potential allergen?
Some people may experience hay fever or
asthma. This type of mold cross reacts with Alternaria, adding to the
allergenic burden of Alternaria-sensitive patients.
Does Ulocladium present any unique human risks? (as pathogen, opportunist or contaminant)*
Rare cases reported of subcutaneous tissue infection.
Can Ulocladium produce toxins?*
Unknown.
Identification of Ulocladium
Can Ulocladium be identified via Air Sampling?
May be confused with spores of Alternaria and Pithomyces.
Can it be identified via Direct Sampling?
May be confused with spores of Alternaria.
OTHER:
What are some of Ulocladium’s industrial uses?
Unknown.
*Other types of disease not listed in this description may also result from exposure.
**Indicates potential toxin production by given species of this
genus. Not all toxins are produced by all species and the extent is
highly dependent on environmental conditions. List may not be all
inclusive due to new discoveries in research.
http://www.environix.com/mold-iaq-library/mold/ulocladium/
VI. The Sixth Fungi found in the “Brown Rain”: Sependonium Example
Genus:Sepedonium
Species:
Disease(s):None associated
Image Type:Microscopic Morphology
Title:Slide culture
Image Legend: Large conidia morphologically similar to Histoplasma capsulatum, potato glucose agar, 25C.
Genus:Sepedonium
Species:
Disease(s):None associated
Image Type:Microscopic Morphology
Title:Conidia
Image Legend:Large
aleuroconidia that can be easily confused with the macroconidia of
Histoplasma capsulatum. Phase contrast microscopy, potato glucose agar,
400X.
Genus:Sepedonium
Species:
Disease(s):Hyalohyphomycosis
Image Type:Microscopic Morphology
Reference #: GK 435
Image Legend:Microscopic morphology of Sepedonium
sp. showing hyaline, nonspecialized conidiophores, resembling short
branches of the vegetative hyphae. Conidia are terminal, solitary, or in
clusters, one-celled, globose to ovoid, 7 to 17�m, hyaline to amber,
smooth to verrucose and usually with a thick wall.
VII. Yeast Cells and conversion to myclial (fungal) form depending on Temperature
A. Yeast converts to Fungi
“The fungal infection taught me many
different things. I discovered a two slide culture technique that
allowed me to observe the conversion of yeast cells to a mycelial form
that developed as the yeast cells cooled to room temperature. This
culture method gave me ample opportunity to watch the mycelial growth. I
also recorded interactions among my immune cells and the infecting
yeast cells by examining stained slides of fresh sputum samples.
In this report, I have included a
description of the 2 slide culture and a collection of photomicrographs
that I took over several months. The medical care I received was
disappointing. I am concerned for others who develop this infection. It
is unlikely that they will be diagnosed. See
my reflections on an illness.
The following photomicrograph show
white, unstained yeast cells of different sizes and dark stained
lymphocytes that often attach to yeast cells. In other slides, dense
clusters of macrophages and neutrophils are also seen. The immune
defense involves the coordinated attack of different cell types with
different jobs. The yeast cells are apparently difficult to kill.”
My lymphocytes (with dark
stained nuclei) attacking blastomycosis cells 1000 X Fresh sputum
sample. One giant yeast cell is obvious, other small, recently budded
yeast cells are more numerous.
See Image library for detailed study of this dimorphic fungal pathogen.
B. Title : Saccharomyces (yeast)
X1000 Text : A
large group of single celled yeast are shown here. Yeast is an
ascomycete, but it reproduces almost exclusively by asexual reproduction
(budding). Each cell just divides in two. This genus of yeast is used
for baking (it makes the carbon dioxide that helps dough to rise) and
also beer and wine making (in anaerobic conditions yeast produces
alcohol). The genome of yeast was recently sequenced.
http://www1.fccj.org/dbyres/images/yeast1000.jpg
C. Candida Yeast
Candida albicans chlamydoconidia, grown on cornmeal agar with 10% tween, Dalmau method
This species is the most
commonly-isolated yeast in human disease. It has been implicated in both
superficial and systemic disease. Recent reports of infections include
corneal [
192], ear [
1328], and bloodstream [
430].
Although this species continues to be the most common species isolated
in bloodstream infections, reports show that the incidence is decreasing
and the resistance is rare in neonatal populations [
1013]
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Morgellons Artifacts comparable to some of these yeasts and fungi:
Many more images of the Morgellons Syndrome Artifacts found here:
http://www.morgboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=41
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Information and
Images compiled by Kathryn Augustyn, with credit to Larry Meyer, Lee
Riddle, Yvette Richard, (entire MRG), and especially Marla Crites and
Betty Credit (Chico Skywatch)
Many Thanks to all who participated
in the material collection for this report. MRG, Chico SkyWatch,
ProLabs, and special thanks to Lee Riddle for supplying fungi
information and images Yvette Richard for contacting the SkyWatch Groups
and Larry Meyer for culturing specimens from Brown Rain. A special
thanks to Toni Starr for keeping this website operating and to Dr. Wil
Spencer who has said that Fungi is involved in Morgellons. We also wish
to thank our President, who has been in the background tooting our horn
and for two others, one who is attempting to isolate the spirochete that
is involved with fungi as well and the other is looking for an enzyme
that will break down this fungi and its related symbionts. A special
thank you and appreciation goes out to Marla Crites and Betty Credit for
“The Brown Rain Story”, basic lab reports and sending specimens for
culture to Larry Meyer. MRG is grateful for fine friends and those who
are members of various SkyWatch Groups and are Geoengineering and
Bioengineering WatchDogs. We could not move forward without the help of
those who care about Our Earth and every life form upon it.
SOURCE: Morgellons Research Group
http://morgellonsresearchgroup.com/mrg-reports-on-on-the-brown-rain-story/
