Health

DPNR Should Study Whether Rum Fungus Is A Danger To Health, Vialet Says

ST. CROIX – A local Senator wants the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) to find out if the black mold that grows West of mid-island on everything from street signs to buildings to plant life is a danger to human health. Sen. Kurt Vialet said he has asked DPNR to study what he called the “rum fungus” or “fungus Baudoinia compniacensis” that he said is the common name and scientific name respectively of the black mold that “feeds on the ethanol vapor released by liquor as it ages.” Vialet said the rum fungus is plainly visible on the street, directional and speed limit signs on St. Croix’s highways from mid-island to Frederiksted and makes them difficult for locals and visitors to read. “The black mold has partially and in some cases completely covered the landscape, buildings, personal property and street signs,” he said. “The condition of the affected areas is aesthetically unpleasant and damaged.” The freshman St. Croix senator said it is likely that property values ...