Daily Junction.mobi portal<p>However, it’s important not to jump from the presence of a striking black fungus to conclusions about health. The Scottish government <a href="https://www.gov.scot/publications/review-human-health-environmental-impacts-non-methane-volatile-organic-compound-emissions-malt-whisky-maturation-scotland-final-report-prepared-scottish-government-aether/">review</a> of the available literature found no evidence demonstrating health effects from short- or long-term exposure to Baudoinia. However, it also identified important evidence gaps and recommended further investigation and environmental monitoring.</p>
<p>So, there are two assumptions we should avoid. One is that because something looks alarming, it must be dangerous. The other is that because harm has not yet been demonstrated, there is nothing worth investigating. What we need is evidence.</p>
<p>That is the purpose of the new research project we are undertaking at Dublin City University, in collaboration with the University of Toronto. The EPA-funded <a href="https://www.dcu.ie/water/ethanol-emissions-and-fungal-growth-irish-whiskey-maturation-implications-environmental">EREG</a> project is tasked with investigating the ethanol emissions from maturation facilities and the environmental distribution and biology of Baudoinia in Ireland.</p>
<p>We will combine emissions estimation, environmental monitoring and microbiology and examine how whiskey maturation emissions are currently regulated. We will also engage with the industry, regulators and communities. In fact, if you live near a whiskey maturation facility in Ireland and have noticed this black staining, we want to hear from you.</p>
<p>Ireland does not need to choose between a successful whiskey industry and environmental protection. The objective is to develop the evidence needed to allow the industry to grow sustainably while ensuring that communities and the environment are appropriately protected. The angels’ share is an unavoidable – and much celebrated – part of making whiskey.</p>
<p>But from an environmental science perspective, there is another question worth asking: once the angels have taken their share, where does it go next?<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/290575/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p>
<p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jenny-lawler-2760862">Jenny Lawler</a>, School of Biotechnology and DCU Water Institute, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/dublin-city-university-1528">Dublin City University</a></em></span></p>
<p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-black-fungus-is-thriving-in-the-midst-of-irelands-whiskey-boom-we-need-to-know-more-about-it-290575">original article</a>.</p> </div>