Pillows Dangerous for Your Health

Roland Piquepaille writes "I guess we shouldn't be surprised by the fact that our pillows are miniature zoos containing millions of fungal spores, with some species able to cause diseases and even death. Researchers at the University of Manchester have studied the fungal contamination of our pillows for the first time in seventy years and discovered that these pillows were hot beds of fungal spores. After dissecting both feather and synthetic pillows in regular use between several months and 20 years, they've "identified several thousand spores of fungus per gram of used pillow -- more than a million spores per pillow."

I prefer to think of it

[Anonymous Coward]

As a challenge for my immune system. If I am weak, I shall die... but if I strong, I shall live and reproduce! My genetic information will spread!

20 years?

[grinwell]

The real question is who uses a pillow for 20 years. That fungus could be older than your kids.

Think that's bad?

[aliens]

They should have studied my Calc 2 text book from college. I caught myself asleep and drooling on that poor book more times than I can remember.

Use the bacteria killing Pencil!!!

[Fluffy_Kitten]

Maybe we should use that bacteria killing pencil to kill all that fungus!!!

Goodnight

[smvp6459]

Goodnight Timmy and don't let the fungal spores cause you respiratory distress.

Well, toss out that pillow and go...

[ForestGrump]

adopt a dog from the SPCA. Great companions, and great pillows too!*

I used to have a german shep/rot mix. loyal as can be and a great companion to the end. He also made a great pillow too!

Grump

*until it farts or wants to get up and leave.

Death by Pillow

[ploafmaster general]

I'd have something to say about this, but I think I just contracted a terminal illness from my pillow...

So THAT's why King Tut used a rock for a pillow

[schwaang]

The solution to fungal-spore producing pillow mites was discovered thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt: the stone pillow [export-egypt.com].

NOT to be confused with this chinese knock-off [cafepress.com].

Re:Not that we Shouldn't Use Pillows.

[axonal]

Well, short of a self-sterilizing pillow... but that's yet to be invented.

I can imagine one of these pillows going into self-sterilization mode while someone is sleeping on it. Someone waking up to their pillow autoclaving the side of their face.

In other news...

[Anonymous Coward]

Health experts are now warning of population explosions of foreign life forms able to subsist upon only sunlight and air. These dangerous beings, dubbed "plants" by leading scientists, pose a grave new threat to humanity.

An excerpt from the Journal of Science quotes Dr. Hys Tarea of the University of New Dehli: "With unlimited energy sources, these plants will cover every corner of arable land and consume large quantities of the earth's atmosphere if left unchecked, expelling only oxygen waste. These life forms have been living among us for millions of years and only now is the danger apparent. We must move quickly if we are to save lives."

Thanks a lot scientists

[ZachPruckowski]

Oh, great. now I have a serious case of insomnia. Check your mail for the lawsuit for about a dozen years of psychologist's bills.

phew

[Joe the Lesser]

First I thought this danger was related to pillow fights!

suck on a corner ...

[bushboy]

... of your towel, the nutrients will take out those nasty pillow bugs.

Re:Where's the Roland Piquepaille summary?

[Anonymous Coward]

Where is the typical Roland Piquepaille summary, at Roland Piquepaille's blog? You know, where all the ads are displayed.

Is it possible that Scuttlemonkey edited it out?

Roland sure does have the article on the top of his blog.

Oh, the blind rage he must be feeling now! Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!

Re:Well, toss out that pillow and go...

[Anonymous Coward]

Title: Development of a technique for the in vivo assessment of flatulence in dogs
Author(s): Collins SB, Perez-Camargo G, Gettinby G, Butterwick RF, Batt RM, Giffard CJ
Source: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH 62 (7): 1014-1019 JUL 2001 Document Type: Article
Language: English
Cited References: 12 Times Cited: 0
Abstract: Objective-To develop a noninvasive method for the in vivo assessment of flatulence in dogs.
Animals-8 adult dogs.

Procedure-Rectal gases were collected via a perforated tube held close to each dog's anus and attached to a monitoring pump fitted with a sensor that recorded hydrogen sulfide concentrations every 20 seconds. Patterns of flatulence were monitored for 14 hours after feeding on 4 days, and within- and between-dog variation was assessed over 4 hours on 4 consecutive days.
Rate of hydrogen sulfide production (flatulence index) and frequency and number of emissions were evaluated as potential indicators of flatus characteristics. An odor judge assigned an odor rating to each flatulence episode, and the relationship between that rating and hydrogen sulfide concentration was determined.

Results-Flatulence patterns varied within and between dogs. Variation was most pronounced for flatulence index; mean coefficients of variance within dogs over lime and between dogs on each day were 75 and 103%, respectively Flatus with hydrogen sulfide concentrations > 1 parts per million could be detected by the odor judge, and severity of malodor was highly correlated with hydrogen sulfide concentration. Odor ratings were accurately predicted by use of the equation 1.51 x hydrogen sulfide concentration(0.28).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The technique described in this report appears to provide sensitive, reliable, and relevant data and will enable further studies of the factors that influence flatulence in dogs. Use of this technique also has the potential to aid in investigations of colonic physiology and pathology.

KeyWords Plus: FLATUS
Addresses: Collins SB (reprint author), Uncle Bens Australia, Kelly St, Wodonga, Vic 3690 Australia Waltham Ctr Pet Nutr, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4RT England Univ Strathclyde, Dept Stat & Modeling Sci, Glasgow, Lanark G1 1XH Scotland
Publisher: AMER VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOC, 1931 N MEACHAM RD SUITE 100, SCHAUMBURG, IL 60173-4360 USA Subject Category: VETERINARY SCIENCES IDS Number: 447RB

ISSN: 0002-9645

Re:20 years?

[Jamu]

The real question is who uses a pillow for 20 years. That fungus could be older than your kids.

Hmmmm, I really need to buy some new pillows...

Re:Well, toss out that pillow and go...

[Anonymous Coward]

Cats use their pets for pillows too.

Re:how do we "treat" this problem?

[tolkienfan]

Time to start microwaving pillows, everyone!

Re:Fungus AmongUs

[Bastian]

There are probably other problems in the world to worry about other than fungus in pillows.

You're right.

FUNGUS IN MATTRESSES! OH MY GOD, WE'RE GOING TO DIE! AAAAAAAAA!

The solution is obviously to...

[going_the_2Rpi_way]

... just drench your pillow in a cocktail of fungicide and DDT and a few other nerve agents. That should lower your risk substantially.

Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees.

Re:And how many spores....

[going_the_2Rpi_way]

Hygiene IS important? Well I'll be damned -- I thought my girlfriend was just being difficult.

;)

Re:Evolution

[britneys 9th husband]

Especially slashdotters who expect to get a girl into a bed full of filthy pillows that they're using to "boost their immune system"

Re:how do we "treat" this problem?

[Seumas]

I never saw the point in high threadcount until I had bedding with high threadcount. I notice a big difference, but being a guy, I'm a bit rough around the edges to start with. Girls notice a HUGE difference though. I think 1500tc is maybe overkill even with good material, but I got a great deal on my bedding. I got like $6,000 worth for $2,000 (comforter, duvet, sheets, pillows). I went from sleeping on a $100 futon mattress tossed on the floor my whole life to sleeping on satin sheets and $400 italian goose down checked pillows. I've never slept so soundly and comfortably. I wish I had spent the money and time investing in high quality bedding (and bed) many years ago. I could have avoided a lot of groggy mornings and painful aching days.

Anyway, I don't care if there's bed bugs in my bed. I figure my pubic lice have to be strong enough to kill them all while I sleep.

Re:Fungus AmongUs

[Headcase88]

Fungus in mushrooms! OMG!

Re:witchcraft

[marsperson]

"A stupid spore is no match for my immune system. If I'm sleeping with them every night, they are most probably well known to the immune system, I trust it will take care of any intruders."


That's not a very nice way to talk about your wife, is it? I guess you've been married a really long time, maybe...

You sick freak!

[Mustang Matt]

Dogs are man best friend. How could you adopt it just to kill it and stuff it like a pillow?!

What I really need to know...

[elgee]

Is can I get an STD from my pillow??

Damn right those spores are deadly!

[Anonymous Coward]

I totally believe those spores can kill - I've seen many a movie where someone was killed by someone holding a pillow over their face for about 4 minutes, forcing them to inhale the spores directly apparently killed them dead!

Ah!

[mok000]

That explains why so many people die in their beds...

Re:how do we "treat" this problem?

[Hangin10]

For increadibly high thread counts, be careful your bed doesn't fork.

Re:I prefer to think of it

[chooks]

My genetic information will spread!

I'm sorry, but that genetic information is patented material. Any derivative works are the property of Hyperglobalmegacorp.

Re:how do we "treat" this problem?

[PingPongBoy]

Break out the aluminium foil

Not to worry. If you don't have an oven, you can still use the foil to wrap your pillow or your head.

Re:how do we "treat" this problem?

[kevcol]

"Break out the aluminium foil."

Done. Ready...

"... Cover one oven tray with foil..."

Damn you. I was all ready for a new Slashdot homemade tin foil hat recipe.

Re:Well, toss out that pillow and go...

[ThousandStars]

I think your comment:

*until it farts or wants to get up and leave.

Explains your signature:

--
still looking for a wife...

Other headlines...

[js290]

Living may lead to death... details at 5...

Whoa there, hotshot

[Gadgetfreak]

Slashdotters are well aware that there's a big step between living and reproducing. Good luck.

Breasts

[rossdee]

make great pillows.

(I realise this is not an option for most /. readers)

Re:I certainly hope you're joking

[Dashing Leech]

it's called "sensual overexcitability."

These people are also known as "premature ejaculators".

Re:I certainly hope you're joking

[bombadier_beetle]

1500 thread count is nothing. I recently upgraded to pure plastic sheets, which have practically infinite thread count - perfectly smooth, no detectable weave texture at all.

If chicks dig 1500 thread count sheets, just wait till they see the plastic sheets on my bed. They'll go nuts.

Horrors of the Universe

[The OPTiCIAN]

And people - did you know = that there are *germs in the air we *breathe**!!! Oh my God! Why does the government do nothing?!

Re:20 years?

[xgamer04]

My mother-in law had this elephant. My wife had it as a child.

Wait, so your mother-in-law and wife gave birth to the same stuffed animal?!?!??!

This just in

[GRW]

The latest scientific research has just discovered that anyone who has been born will eventually die. Medical professionals report that there is no cure, but suggest taking lots of drugs or joining a Buddhist monastery.

Re:I prefer to think of it

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't know whether to rate that as interesting or TMI. ;-)