Methods to reduce exposure to dust in endemic areas:
(1) Avoid working outdoors during windy conditions.
(2) When excavating try to use machinery with an enclosed cab that is air-conditioned (filtered air).
(3) Use air-conditioning in field vehicles.
(4) Disturb soil as little as possible (digging. etc.).
(5) Use dust masks (see below) consistently.
(6) Wet soils before digging or collecting environmental samples.
(7) Camp and sleep upwind of known or suspected C. immitis growth sites or dusty areas.
(8) Avoid sandy or dusty campsites. Camp on vegetated sites as much as possible.
(9) Heating environmental samples to 60°C or above for at least 30 minutes will kill C. immitis.
(10) Use fungicide to kill C.immitis when feasible. Spraying fungicide over soil may be of limited benefit since it is only effective on the soil surface and has only limited penetration into the subsurface (often 0.5 cm, or a quarter inch).
Dust masks:
(1) should be fit tested. Beards and facial hair may need to be shaved off in order to have an effective seal.
(2) should filter to exclude particles down to 0.4 microns
(3) need to be worn conscientiously when outdoors or handling untreated environmental materials
