Climate change-driven warmer temperatures and increased air humidity create hospitable habitats for fungi that were previously less active or invasive.
Published Nov 12, 2025 | 4:37 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2025 | 4:37 PM
Candidiasis or yeast infection, frequently affect the skin, scalp, or nails.
Synopsis: Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and growing construction activity are fuelling a surge in fungal infections across India, as dust and humidity create ideal conditions for spores to spread through the air. Researchers warn that fungi once restricted to soil are now invading human lungs and skin, with over fifty million Indians already affected by serious fungal diseases such as aspergillosis and mucormycosis.
The earth is getting warmer, rainfall patterns are changing, and the wind now carries not only dust but also fungal spores. As the climate shifts, fungi once confined to soil and decaying vegetation find new opportunities to invade human airways.
When dust, humidity, and rising heat combine, fungal spores become an unseen health threat.
Fungal infections, caused by moulds, yeasts, and their spores, range from superficial skin conditions to deeply invasive diseases. Superficial forms, such as tinea (ringworm) and candidiasis or yeast infection, frequently affect the skin, scalp, or nails.
More serious fungal infections, such as aspergillosis, mucormycosis, or chronic pulmonary fungal disease, develop when spores are inhaled and immune defences are lowered – a concern affecting over fifty million Indians living with serious fungal disease.
In addition, the tropical climate and high population density allow airborne fungal spores to thrive.
In a climate altered by rising temperatures, construction dust adds to the danger. Fine particles released by building sites carry fungal spores and allow them to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract.
Climate change-driven warmer temperatures and increased air humidity create hospitable habitats for fungi that were previously less active or invasive.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have raised the alarm in a study about the increasing threat of fungal infections due to climate change.
Their study finds that rising global temperatures are helping dangerous fungi—primarily species of Aspergillus—spread into new geographic areas and may put millions more people at risk.
Together, dust, dampness, and higher ambient temperatures create a perfect storm, allowing fungi to infiltrate, spores to travel further, and people to inhale them often without realising the risk of exposure.
Some groups of people face a much higher risk of fungal spore and dust-related infections. Among these groups are:
To mitigate the risk, not only hard hats but also proper respiratory protection equipment is essential for workers to recognise the serious health hazards their jobs entail.
Any delay in taking preventive action will not only widen the gap in infection control but also contribute to the spread of disease.
To curb fungal infections, protective measures must be prioritised for those most at risk. Construction workers and residents near building sites should have access to high-quality respiratory masks such as N95 respirators, in addition to standard safety gear.
This forms the first line of defence against the growing fungal threat driven by climate change and expanding construction activity across India.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
